Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Physical Activity in Middle-Aged Women

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between physical activity and metabolic syndrome risk factors middle-aged women. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 101 middle-aged women with metabolic syndrome risk factors were recruited from a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. Surveys were conducted using a demographic questionnaire, and the Taiwanese version of the self-administered short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The research results indicate that (1) 69% of the Women with metabolic syndrome were mostly in postmenopause, and the most common risk factor for metabolic syndrome was abdominal obesity (80.2%). (2) Fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 100mg/dl and the level of physical activity showed significantly differences (χ 2 = 6.1, p < .05). (3)The total metabolic equivalents (METs) of physical activities of having or no having metabolic syndrome women showed significantly different, no having metabolic syndrome women higher then metabolic syndrome women (t = 2.23, p < .05). (4) The predictor of waist circumference ≥ 80cm is basal metabolic index (BMI) (OR = 3.46; 95% CI = 1.61, 7.46) (p < .05), the predictor of FBG ≥ 100mg/dl is insufficient physical activity (OR = 11.29; 95% CI = 1.72, 73.82) (p < .05), and the predictors of metabolic syndrome are BMI (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.33, 2.08), menopause (OR = 12.3; 95% CI = 1.25, 120.68), and postmenopause (OR = 42.97; 95% CI = 2.22, 831.41) (p < .05). Conclusions: This study recommends that to prevent metabolic syndrome, middle-aged women should adopt an active lifestyle, actively control their weight, and a minimum of 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per week or 75 min of high-intensity physical activity. This result is a potentially crucial reference for healthcare professionals in their care of patients with metabolic syndrome.