title: Independent and combined influence of physical activity and perceived stress on the metabolic syndrome in male law enforcement officers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Hye Lim
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Joey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Eisenmann
authors.forename: Warren D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Franke
mesh_terms: 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