title: Joint association of physical activity in leisure and total sitting time with metabolic syndrome amongst 15,235 Danish adults: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest that physical inactivity as well as sitting time are associated with metabolic syndrome. Our aim was to examine joint associations of leisure time physical activity and total daily sitting time with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Leisure time physical activity and total daily sitting time were assessed by self-report in 15,235 men and women in the Danish Health Examination Survey 2007-2008. Associations between leisure time physical activity, total sitting time and metabolic syndrome were investigated in logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for metabolic syndrome were 2.14 (95% CI: 1.88-2.43) amongst participants who were inactive in leisure time compared to the most active, and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.26-1.61) amongst those who sat for ≥10h/day compared to <6h/day. Within strata of leisure time physical activity, sitting time was positively associated with metabolic syndrome. For example, in the moderate to vigorous physical activity stratum, ORs were 1.31 (95% CI: 1.11-1.54) and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16-1.88) in participants who sat 6-10 and ≥10h/day compared to <6h/day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher amounts of sitting time seem to be associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, even amongst individuals who are physically active.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: cbj@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Christina Bjørk
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: ajni@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Asser Jon
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: adrian.bauman@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: jst@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Janne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tolstrup
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health surveys; Metabolic syndrome; Physical activity; Sedentary lifestyles