Association between sedentary and physical activity patterns and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Saudi men: A crosssectional study
Background: This study examined the association between objectively measured physical activity patterns and risk
factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Saudi men.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional, and 84 healthy men from the Saudi population (age 37.6 ± 8.8 years, body
mass index [BMI] 28.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2) were recruited. Measurements of physical activity were made using triaxial
accelerometers over 7 consecutive days of leisure time physical activity. Waist circumference and blood pressure
were measured, and fasting blood samples taken to measure glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL),
and triglycerides (TG).
Results: A total 21.4 % of participants had three or more risk factors for MetS, with low HDL levels the most
frequent factor. Light physical activity (LPA) and BMI explained 13 % of the variation in TG. Moderate to vigorous
physical activity (MVPA) with a minimum 10-min per session (10-min MVPA), LPA, and BMI explained 16 % of the
variation in HDL. Sedentary behavior was not significantly associated with risk factors of MetS, although odds ratios
indicated that decreased sedentarism does have a protective effect against MetS.
Conclusions: LPA and 10-min MVPA were associated with elevated HDL levels among Saudi men. Future studies
should confirm whether time spent physically active independent of intensity is an important factor in improving
HDL levels.
There is very limited evidence on the influence of diurnal exercise timing on appetite control, and none on food reward or how an individual's chronotype could moderate such effects. We examined…