Associations Between Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome: Comparison Between Self-Report and Accelerometry

Purpose: To assess the relationship between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in U.S. adults.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used for this study.

Setting: The study was set among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

Subjects: Adults, ages 20 years and older, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 (n = 5580) participated in the study.

Measures: PA measures included minutes per week of moderate plus vigorous PA estimated by self-report (MVPAsr), total 7-day accelerometry (MVPAa), and accelerometer-based MVPA performed in 10-minute bouts (MVPAb). Risk factors for metabolic syndrome included blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and waist circumference.

Analysis: Odds ratios (ORs) for having metabolic syndrome were calculated for men and women who met the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans compared to those who did not.

Results: Women who did not meet the PA guidelines had significantly greater odds of having metabolic syndrome according to MVPAsr (OR = 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65–2.94), MVPAa (OR = 4.40; 95% CI = 2.65–7.31), and MVPAb (OR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.42–5.96). Men had significantly higher odds of having metabolic syndrome according to MVPAa (OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.91–3.45) and MVPAb (OR = 2.83; 95% CI = 1.55–5.17), but not MVPAsr. These ORs remained significant after adjusting for all potential confounders except body mass index, after which only MVPAsr in women and MVPAb in men remained significant.

Conclusion: Individuals who do not meet the PA guidelines exhibited greater odds of having metabolic syndrome. This relationship tended to be stronger for objective PA measures than for self-report.