Leisure-time physical activity and metabolic syndrome plus depressive symptoms in the FIN-D2D survey

To examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and simultaneous presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depressive symptoms (DS) based on a population-based FIN-D2D cross-sectional survey conducted in 2007.

4500 randomly selected Finnish men and women aged 45-74 years were initially enrolled; 2868 (64%) attended a health examination. Participants with complete information (n=2778) were grouped into three LTPA categories: low, moderate and high. MetS was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria and DS on the Beck Depression Inventory (≥10 points).

The prevalence of MetS and DS were 53% and 15%, respectively; the prevalence of simultaneous MetS and DS was 10%. The proportion of subjects with MetS, DS and simultaneous presence of MetS and DS increased with decreasing LTPA (p<0.001). On multivariate ordered analysis, LTPA was related to education years, household income, smoking, and the presence of MetS only, DS only and simultaneous MetS and DS.

The prevalence of simultaneous MetS and DS was higher in participants with low LTPA compared with participants with high LTPA. Furthermore, LTPA level was associated with socioeconomic status and other health related outcomes, outlining the importance of LTPA as part of the general health promotion.