Association between physical activity and metabolic risk factors in adolescents: Tehran lipid and glucose study

ABSTRACT

Physical activity [PA] is associated with the metabolic syndrome [MetS] and its components. This study aimed to examine the association between PA and MetS and its components among normal weight and overweight/obese adolescent in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]. This cross-sectional study includes 777 adolescents, aged 12-18 years, who were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling from among TLGS participants. Subjects were classified as normal weight and overweight/obese based on the age- and sex-specific standardized percentile curves of BMI for Iranian population. Levels of PA were assessed using a standardized and modifiable activity questionnaire [MAQ], and categorized into tertiles. MetS was defined according to the Cook's criteria. Prevalence of the MetS was higher in overweight/obese than normal group [35% vs. 3%; P 0.02]. Normal groups were more physically active [50% vs. 44%]; however, difference was not significant. There was a significant association between the light PA and risk of lower level of HDL-C before and after adjustment, in normal weight group [OR 1.62, CI 95% 1.11, 2.35; OR 1.65, CI 95% 1.12, 2.44, respectively]. The overweight/obese group with light and moderate PA had a higher risk of having abdominal obesity than those with vigorous PA, only after adjustment for determined covariates [OR 1.11, CI 95% 1.07, 1.21; OR 1.06, CI 95% 1.01, 1.08, respectively]; the association between MetS and PA was not significant. The results of this study confirm the association between PA and some individual components of MetS such as waist and HDL-C