title: Physical activity, body composition and metabolic syndrome in young adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low physical activity (PA) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in all age groups. We measured intensity and volume of PA and examined the associations between PA and the metabolic syndrome (MS), its components and body composition among young Finnish adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprises 991 men and women born 1985-86, who participated in a clinical study during the years 2009-11 which included assessments of metabolism, body composition and PA. Objectively measured (SenseWear Armband) five-day PA data was available from 737 participants and was expressed in metabolic equivalents of task (MET).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MS ranged between 8-10%. Higher total mean volume (MET-hours) or intensity (MET) were negatively associated with the risk of MS and separate components of MS, while the time spent at sedentary level of PA was positively associated with MS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MS was prevalent in approximately every tenth of the young adults at the age of 24 years. Higher total mean intensity and volume rates as well as longer duration spent at moderate and vigorous PA level had a beneficial impact on the risk of MS. Longer time spent at the sedentary level of PA increased the risk of MS.
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Minna K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wasenius
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland; Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kajantie
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Aulikki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lano
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Räikkönen
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland; Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult