title: Physical activity, dietary vitamin C, and metabolic syndrome in the Korean adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome is a global public health problem, and regular physical activity is a well-known critical factor in its management. A recent study suggests that the effect of exercise on metabolic syndrome may be enhanced by sufficient plasma vitamin C concentrations. We therefore examined the combined effect of physical activity and dietary vitamin C on the risk of metabolic syndrome in the general Korean population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from 22,671 adults aged 20 years or older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012. Physical activity was computed as the total metabolic equivalent (METs-hr/week) summed from MET scores of walking, moderate activity, and vigorous activity. Vitamin C intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. Participants were classified into four combined groups based on median values of physical activity and vitamin C intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for metabolic syndrome in individuals with both high physical activity and vitamin C intake (vs. both low physical activity and vitamin C intake) was 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71-0.87). The estimated combined effect was more than either high physical activity alone (OR, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90)) or high vitamin C intake alone (OR, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80-0.99)), although each of those was beneficial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity and dietary intake of vitamin C are both associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. Our findings suggest further that a combination of physical activity and a diet rich in vitamin C may help in preventing metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junghoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yoonchoi@gachon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yoon-Hyeong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Antioxidants; Dietary intake; Metabolic syndrome; Physical activity