The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Metabolic Syndrome in Kuwaiti Adults

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between physical activity (PA) and metabolic syndrome in the Kuwaiti population. This is the first study to examine the relationship between PA and metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of adult Kuwaitis. METHODS: Data from the STEPS survey of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Kuwait were used for this secondary cross-sectional study with a total of 1616 adults (726 males; and 890 females) aged 18-69 randomly sampled from the target population using the database of the Public Authority of Civil Information (PACI). RESULTS: The Body Mass Index (BMI) of females was higher than males (31.5±7.7 vs. 29.4±5.1). Males had higher metabolic equivalent than females (2202±3394.8 vs. 1180±2379.5). The total prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Kuwaiti males and females was 28.4%. The relationship between total metabolic equivalent and the Metabolic syndrome was negatively correlated (r=-0.196), also annual household income was negatively correlated with Metabolic syndrome; the higher level of income the lower presence of metabolic syndrome. Finally, Metabolic Syndrome Score can be predicted by gender, age, BMI and Total Metabolic Equivalent (MET) as a predictors which explain approximately 32.6% of the variance in Metabolic Syndrome Score. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Kuwait is alarmingly high. Sedentary lifestyles and high caloric intake are few of the responsible factors. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Policy makers should adapt strategies to promote higher levels of physical activity such as using sidewalks and bicycling facilities and promoting public health messages to decrease caloric intake.