Background: The effects of exercise and serum uric acid on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) were evaluated.
Methods: The study subjects were 1792 Japanese male workers aged 21 to 60 years old who were employees of a manufacturing company of electrical products. The standard Japanese criteria for the diagnosis of MetS were used. The presence of obesity is an indispensable factor, with any two or more of the following criteria: (1) a high serum level of triglyceride and/or low serum level of HDL cholesterol; (2) high blood pressure; (3) high fasting plasma glucose concentration. The body mass index (BMI) was used as an obesity-related overweight index; BMI >or=25 kg/m(2) was defined as overweight. Age, smoking habit and frequency of drinking were used for the adjustment of significance.
Results: The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of serum uric acid >or=7 mg/dL, and no history of exercise for MetS were 3.2 (2.2, 4.6) and 1.8 (1.1, 3.0), respectively. The authors also categorized walking by the number of steps per day and by the time in minute per day.
Conclusions: Although subjects with no habitual exercise have risk of MetS, the situation of physical activity should precisely be evaluated.