title: Reduction in metabolic syndrome among obese young men is associated with exercise-induced body composition changes during military service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A population-based study of 1046 young Finnish men was performed to evaluate whether body composition changes observed during military service are associated with a reduction in prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and whether the effect is body mass index (BMI)-dependent.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of 1046 men (mean age 19.2 years, SD 1.0), with follow-up during 6-12 months of military service in northern Finland. Anthropometry, body composition, biochemical measurements and physical fitness were assessed at baseline and follow-up. MetS was defined using the International Diabetes Federations (IDF) criterion, continuous MetS Z-score calculated, and changes evaluated in BMI categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of MetS at baseline and follow-up was 6.1% and 3.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Prevalence of MetS decreased by 40% (p < 0.001) among the obese young men (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). Reduction in the MetS Z-score was mainly attributable to weight loss and reduced fat mass (p < 0.001) and improvement in physical fitness (muscle fitness index, p = 0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beneficial exercise-induced changes in body composition significantly reduced the prevalence of MetS among young, obese men. Our findings support the efficacy of increased physical activity for prevention of early-onset cardiovascular disease, particularly among overweight and obese young men.
authors.affiliation: University of Oulu, Institute of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014 University of Oulu, Finland. maria.hagnas@rovaniemi.fi
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hagnäs
authors.forename: Henna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cederberg
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mikkola
authors.forename: Tiina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ikäheimo
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokelainen
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Härkönen
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peitso
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rajala
authors.forename: Sirkka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008889:Military Personnel; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult