Which is more important for cardiometabolic health: sedentary time, higher intensity physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness? The Maastricht Study.

Abstract

AIMS/HYPOTHESES:

Our aim was to examine the independent and combined (cross-sectional) associations of sedentary time (ST), higher intensity physical activity (HPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with metabolic syndrome and diabetes status.

METHODS:

In 1933 adults (aged 40-75 years) ST and HPA (surrogate measure for moderate to vigorous physical activity) were measured with the activPAL3. CRF was assessed by submaximal cycle-ergometer testing. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines. Diabetes status (normal, prediabetes [i.e. impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose] or type 2 diabetes) was determined from OGTT. (Multinomial) logistic regression analyses were used to calculate likelihood for the metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes according to ST, HPA and CRF separately and combinations of ST-CRF and HPA-CRF.

RESULTS:

Higher ST, lower HPA and lower CRF were associated with greater odds for the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes independently of each other. Compared with individuals with high CRF and high HPA (CRFhigh-HPAhigh), odds for the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes were higher in groups with a lower CRF regardless of HPA. Individuals with low CRF and low HPA (CRFlow-HPAlow) had a particularly high odds for the metabolic syndrome (OR 5.73 [95% CI 3.84, 8.56]) and type 2 diabetes (OR 6.42 [95% CI 3.95, 10.45]). Similarly, compared with those with high CRF and low ST (CRFhigh-STlow), those with medium or low CRF had higher odds for the metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, irrespective of ST. In those with high CRF, high ST was associated with significantly high odds for the metabolic syndrome (OR 2.93 [95% CI 1.72, 4.99]) and type 2 diabetes (OR 2.21 [95% CI 1.17, 4.17]). The highest odds for the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes were observed in individuals with low CRF and high ST (CRFlow-SThigh) (OR [95% CI]: the metabolic syndrome, 9.22 [5.74, 14.80]; type 2 diabetes, 8.38 [4.83, 14.55]).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION:

These data suggest that ST, HPA and CRF should all be targeted in order to optimally reduce the risk for the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

• Authors: Jeroen H P M van der Velde, Nicolaas C Schaper, Coen D A Stehouwer, Carla J H van der Kallen, Simone J S Sep, Miranda T Schram, Ronald M A Henry, Pieter C Dagnelie, Simone J P M Eussen, Martien C J M van Dongen, Hans H C M Savelberg, Annemarie Koster
• Journal: Diabetologia (Diabetologia) Vol. 61 Issue 12 Pg. 2561-2569 (12 2018) ISSN: 1432-0428 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 30198051 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose

Topics

• Accelerometry
• Adult
• Aged
• Blood Glucose (analysis)
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness (physiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Exercise (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Metabolic Syndrome (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Middle Aged
• Sedentary Behavior
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Waist Circumference (physiology)