Physical activity and its relation to metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors among three professions

Introduction: The relation between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors has not been studied in Iceland. This study aimed to investigate PA and metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors among three professions: manual laborers, office workers, and farmers. Material and methods: The participants (73 males, 89 females) underwent anthropometric measurements. Total PA and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed with activity monitors. Blood pressure was measured and fasting blood samples analyzed for total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and homeostatic model assessment. Results: Male manual laborers and farmers were more physically active than office workers (p<0.01), but no difference was found among females. Nevertheless, female farmers spent less time in MVPA than other professions (p<0.05). Low proportion (18.4%) of all participants and none of the male office workers met the guidelines of the Directorate of Health for daily PA. Farmers had lower levels of triglycerides (p=0.01) and glucose (p<0.01), and greater fat-free mass (p<0.03) than other professions. They also had the highest levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, followed by manual laborers, and then office workers (p<0.02). Total PA was significantly related to a greater number of metabolic risk factors than time spent in MVPA. Conclusion: Farmers have the most favorable metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in the blood and their PA and fat-free mass are a likely explanation. Regardless, their PA is low, and only one-fifth of all participants meet the guidelines for daily PA. Total PA appears more important for the metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors than time spent in MVPA.