Eating Speed, Physical Activity, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Are Independent Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean University Students

Abstract

Background: Little is known regarding the role of eating quickly, physical inactivity, and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in assessing the onset of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in Korean young adults. Objectives: This study examined the association between the three risk factors and Mets in 1891 Korean university students (30% female) aged 18–29 years. Methods: Eating speed (slow vs. fast) and physical activity (active vs. inactive) were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake as an indicator of CRF was assessed with graded exercise testing. Components of Mets were waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Results: All the three exposures were positively associated with abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressures, elevated FBG, elevated TG, and decreased HDLC. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of Mets was incremental in the order of physical inactivity (odds ratio, OR = 1.666; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.024–2.708; p = 0.040), fast eating (OR = 1.687; 95% CI = 1.094–2.601; p = 0.018), and poor CRF (OR = 5.378; 95% CI = 3.475–8.325; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current findings suggest that a multifaceted intervention targeting at promotion of physical activity and CRF in concert with healthy eating behaviors should be implemented as a preventive strategy against Mets in Korean university students.

Physical Activity and Physical Fitness among University Students—A Systematic Review

“…The sample of participants was only female in five studies [ 34 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 43 ], while only one study had male participants only [ 47 ]. There were eight studies where the sample of participants was from the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education students [ 30 , 31 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 43 ], only one study had Criminal Police Academy students [ 36 ], while the rest of the studies had participants from different universities and faculties [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

“…Two studies had students from Poland National University [ 45 , 46 ], one had Tsingua University students from China [ 44 ], and all three mentioned were using their own standardized battery test. Aqua-Pilates program [ 40 ], Bamboo dance program [ 39 ], hiking activities [ 35 ], and fitness yoga [ 38 ] were also evaluated and there were also two studies that conducted VO2max evaluation on the treadmill [ 49 ] and cycle ergometer [ 50 ]. The rest of the studies were using standard and already known physical fitness tests.…”

“…The first was the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance among Chinese University students [ 48 ] and the second one [ 50 ] was a relationship between depression, daily physical activity, physical fitness, and daytime sleep time in Japanese University students. In addition, only one study [ 49 ] was determining predictors of metabolic syndrome (eating speed, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness) in Korean University students.…”

“…International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used in four studies [ 42 , 44 , 47 , 48 ] and among those mentioned, only Osipov et al [ 47 ] were using fitness center and sport school documents as evaluation of the physical activity. The self-assessment questionnaire was conducted only by Kaminska et al [ 31 ], Kang et al [ 49 ] had a regular questionnaire, while Shimamoto et al [ 50 ] was the only study that monitored and evaluated physical activity using the accelerometer. Additionally, the mentioned questionnaires are valid and reliable [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], while the details of the accelerometer measurement have already been described in previous studies [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Associations of Dietary and Circulating Vitamin E Level With Metabolic Syndrome. A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…The epidemiological data has demonstrated that BMI, physical activity and energy intake is associated with both dietary vitamin E and MetS (59)(60)(61)(62)(63). Indeed, our finding is lost in studies without adjustment of these factors (Table 2).…”