Associations of Combined Physical Activity and Body Mass Index with Metabolic Syndrome in American Adults: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017–2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the combined associations of physical activity and body mass index with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a population-based sample of American adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Data from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects: A total of 2945 American adults who participated in the NHANES 2017-2020. Measures: Participants' physical activity levels were categorized based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Metabolic syndrome was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Analysis: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the various groups was analyzed using binary logistic regression to observe differences in the associated risks of developing metabolic syndrome. Results: An increase in body mass index and a decrease in physical activity are both risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Statistical results show that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the obese and sedentary group is 22.31 times higher than that in the normal weight and active group (P = 0.000). Conclusion: A combination of at least 600 MET-minutes of physical activity per week and a lower body mass index is significantly associated with the lowest prevalence of metabolic syndrome.