title: Objectively measured light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time are independently associated with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study of Japanese adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reducing sedentary time and increasing lifestyle activities, including light-intensity activity, may be an option to help prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether objectively measured light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time is associated with MetS, independent of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants in this cross-sectional study were 483 middle-aged Japanese adults, aged 30-64 years. The participants were divided into those with or without MetS according to the Japanese criteria for MetS. A triaxial accelerometer was used to measure light-intensity lifestyle activity [1.6-2.9 metabolic equivalents (METs)] and sedentary time (≤1.5 METs). Logistic regression was used to predict MetS from the levels of light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time with age, sex, smoking, calorie intake, accelerometer wear time, and MVPA as covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The odds ratios (OR) for MetS in the highest and middle tertiles of light-intensity lifestyle activity were 0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24 to 0.81] and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.89) relative to the lowest tertile, after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, calorie intake, accelerometer wear time and MVPA (Ptrend = 0.012). Sedentary time was also associated with the risk of MetS (Ptrend = 0.018). Among participants in the highest tertile of sedentary time, the risk of MetS was 2.27-times greater than that in the lowest tertile (95% CI: 1.25 to 4.11). The risk of MetS was not significantly increased in subjects in the middle tertile of sedentary time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that light-intensity lifestyle activity and sedentary time were significantly associated with the risk of MetS, independent of MVPA. The results of our study suggest that public health messages and guidelines should be refined to include increases in light-intensity lifestyle activity and/or decreases in sedentary time, alongside promoting MVPA, to prevent MetS.
authors: Department of Sports Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8577, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Junghoon
authors: J
authors: Kim
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Tanabe
authors: Noriko
authors: N
authors: Yokoyama
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Zempo
authors: Shinya
authors: S
authors: Kuno
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior