Effects and a dose response relationship of physical activity to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index among Saudis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to examine the effects and a dose response relationship of physical activity on plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and body mass index (BMI) among Saudi men and women living in the metropolis of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).


METHODS
The sample population of 474 Saudi men and women visiting the health centers in and around Riyadh was studied from September 2003 to February 2004. The population was classified in 4 physical activity groups on the basis of frequency (F), intensity (I) and time (T) of exercise. The F, I and T value was calculated by multiplying the scores of 3 parameters. Plasma HDL-C and BMI were measured and the association of HDL-C and BMI with all 4 levels of physical activity, sedentary, light, moderate and heavy were calculated applying Pearsons correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
We found that the sedentary Saudi men had mean HDL-C levels of 0.65 +/- 0.25 and BMI of 28.7 while women had 0.70 +/- 0.22 HDL-C levels and 31.06 BMI. The moderate and heavy physical activity showed an increase of 53-92% and 44.2-95% in the HDL-C levels in both men and women. The physical activity had a strong association to HDL-C and an inverse association to BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
The substantial increase in the levels of plasma HDL-C and a moderate reduction in BMI is seen in men and women who are at moderate and heavy physical activity status, however the HDL-C level does not reach to the coronary heart disease protective level, if not combined with proper dieting. A health awareness program is urgently needed at the primary care level in KSA to educate people regarding the significance of physical activity and proper diet.
Al-Ajlan
Abdul R
AR
Department of Clinical Laboratories, College of Health Sciences (Men), PO Box 22637, Riyadh 11416, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. aalajl@hotmail.com
Mehdi
Syed R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014504:Urban Health
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL