Independent and combined influence of physical activity and perceived stress on the metabolic syndrome in male law enforcement officers.
OBJECTIVE
: To examine the independent and combined interrelationships among physical activity, perceived stress, and the metabolic syndrome in law enforcement officers (LEOs).


METHODS
: Perceived stress, self-reported physical activity, and metabolic syndrome risk factors were assessed in 386 white male LEOs.


RESULTS
: Among the LEOs, 23.1% had the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome was not significantly associated with perceived stress (r = 0.047) whereas physical activity was (r = -0.225, P < 0.0001). The odds ratios (95% CI) for possessing the metabolic syndrome in the low and moderate physical activity groups compared to the high physical activity group were 3.13 (95% CI = 1.56 to 6.26) and 2.30 (95% CI = 1.29 to 4.09), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
: Regardless of stress level, physical inactivity is an important risk factor in the metabolic syndrome among this unique occupational group.
Yoo
Hye Lim
HL
Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.
Eisenmann
Joey C
JC
Franke
Warren D
WD
D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016495:Police; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult