The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome diagnosis: A cross-sectional study in Indonesian middle-aged and older adults

Objectives: The roles of cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality risks are well established; however, little is known about the role of CF in reducing risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of CVD risk factors, particularly in Asian countries. This research examined associations between CF and MetS diagnosis and its five components in Indonesian middle-aged and older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 161 participants (aged 63±8 years; 70% female). CF was assessed with a 6-minute walk test. MetS diagnosis and its components were assessed with the Adult Treatment Panel III. Logistic regression modelling was conducted to examine the relationships between CF and MetS diagnosis and its components, after adjustment for BMI and other confounders. BMI was categorized using cut-points for Asians. Results: In adjusted models, participants with low CF had a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with MetS than those with high CF (OR=4.79, 95%CI:2.17-10.62). They were also more likely to have low high-density lipoprotein (OR=2.07, 95%CI:1.02-4.18) or hypertriglyceridemia (OR=2.37, 95%CI:1.15-4.86). There was also borderline significant findings that suggested that participants with low CF had greater likelihood of having abdominal obesity (OR=2.34, 95%CI:0.97-5.65, p=0.06) or hyperglycaemia (OR=2.07 95%CI:0.98-4.41, p=0.06). Conclusions: Low CF is associated with increased likelihood of being diagnosed with MetS. The adverse effects of low CF are mainly characterized by dyslipidaemia. Public health messages should emphasise the importance of improving CF for preventing MetS. Assessment of CF could be useful for targeting individuals most likely to benefit from intervention to prevent MetS.