Association between Physical Activity and Metabolic Risk Factors in Adolescents: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Background: 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). Methods: 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. Results: 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: 1.61, 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. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the association between PA and some individual components of MetS such as waist and HDL-C.