title: Different physical activity subtypes and risk of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older Chinese people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is growing rapidly in China. Tai chi and dancing are common types of exercise among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. It remains unclear whether these activities are associated with a lower risk of MetS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 15,514 individuals (6,952 men, 8,562 women) aged 50 to 70 years from the Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort in Shiyan, China participated in a cross-sectional study. Physical activity and other lifestyle factors were assessed with semi-structured questionnaires during face-to-face interviews. MetS was defined by the current National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. The prevalence of MetS was 33.2% in the study population. In the multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses, total physical activity levels were monotonically associated with a lower odds of MetS [OR 0.75 comparing extreme quintiles, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.86, P<0.001]. Compared with non-exercisers in a specific exercise type, jogging (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68-1.00, P = 0.046), tai chi (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.88, P<0.001), and dancing (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.47-0.67, P<0.001) were associated with significantly lower odds of MetS. Furthermore, each 1-h/week increment in tai chi and dancing was associated with a 5% (95% CI 2%-9%) and a 9% (95% CI 6%, 12%) lower risk of MetS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Jogging, tai chi and dancing are associated with a significantly lower risk of having MetS in middle-aged and older Chinese. Future intervention studies should consider the role of jogging, tai chi and dancing in preventing MetS.
authors: MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors: Mu
authors: M
authors: Chen
authors: Meian
authors: M
authors: He
authors: Xinwen
authors: X
authors: Min
authors: An
authors: A
authors: Pan
authors: Xiaomin
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Yao
authors: Xiulou
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Yuewei
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Yuan
authors: Weihong
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Weimin
authors: W
authors: Fang
authors: Yuan
authors: Y
authors: Liang
authors: Youjie
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Xiaoping
authors: X
authors: Miao
authors: Mingjian
authors: M
authors: Lang
authors: Peng
authors: P
authors: Zhang
authors: Dongfeng
authors: D
authors: Li
authors: Huan
authors: H
authors: Guo
authors: Handong
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Frank B
authors: FB
authors: Hu
authors: Tangchun
authors: T
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007590:Jogging; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D026302:Tai Ji