Physical activity cuts metabolic syndrome risk

Moderate and high levels of physical activity reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, according to a study that enrolled 326 women aged 60.9 years on average.

The authors defined moderate and high levels of physical activity as at least 600 and 1500 Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes per week, respectively: 600 MET-minutes per week is equivalent to vigorous activity for at least 20 minutes or walking for at least 30 minutes a day for three or more days a week.

Overall, 43.3% of the women had metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, moderate (90% reduction) or high (89% reduction) physical activity protected against metabolic syndrome. Moderate and high levels of physical activity also reduced the risk of the syndrome's individual components: elevated fasting plasma glucose (by 71% and 74% respectively); elevated blood pressure (82% and 68%); elevated triglycerides (59% and 86%); reduced high-density lipoprotein (72% and 73%); and central obesity (69% and 78%).