PURPOSE This study aimed to analyze the moderating effect of physical fitness on the relationship between abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older women. METHODS A total of 190 participants were categorized based on waisthip ratio (WHR) into high (50%) and low (50%) groups, as well as based on Z-score of fitness into high (25%; high fit), moderate (50%; moderate fit), and low (25%; low fit) groups. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative risk of MetS based on abdominal obesity and fitness levels, and moderation analysis using the Process macro was conducted to explore the moderating effect of fitness on the relationship between abdominal obesity and MetS risk factors. RESULTS After adjusting forcovariates, logistic regression showed that high WHR (odds ratio (OR)=2.721, p=0.004) led to a significantly higher risk of MetS compared with low WHR; the high fit group (OR=0.360, p=0.044) had a significantly lower risk of MetS compared wih the low fit group. Moderation analysis revealed that the impact of abdominal obesity on MetS risk factors varied depending on the level of fitness (β=-0.495, p=0.037), and the results remained significant after covariate adjustment (β=-0.458, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the risk of MetS from abdominal obesity can be mitigated by higher levels of physical fitness. These findings highlight the need for participation in regular physical activity to maintain a high level of fitness, along with proper nutritional intake, to prevent MetS in older women.
PURPOSE This study investigated the associations between mental health and physical activity with all-cause mortality in persons with disability. METHODS A total of 595 participants (39.3% women) aged 45≥ years, who participated in the Korean longitudinal study of aging (KLoSA) were included in this study. The Korean version of mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE) and the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) were used to assess cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms, respectively. The participants were classified into active and inactive groups based on physical activity of 150 min/week. Cox’s proportional regression analyses were used to determine the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of mental health and physical activity relating to all-cause mortality. RESULTS During the follow-up period (11.8±4.1 years), a total of 218 (36.6%) deaths occurred from all-causes. Participants in the inactive group had significantly higher cognitive impairment (p =0.046), depressive symptoms (p =0.001), and all-cause mortality (p=0.037) than those in the active group. Compared to participants in the normal (HR=1), cognitive impairment (HR=2.229, 95% CI=1.645-3.020, p<0.001), and depressive symptoms groups (HR=1.542, 95% CI=1.136-2.091, p<0.001), those in the inactive group had significantly higher HR related to all-cause mortality. However, in the active group, cognitive function and depressive symptoms were not associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS The current finding suggests that the promotion of physical activity may play an important role in preventing premature death from all-causes in persons with disability, especially among those with mental health problems.
PURPOSE This study investigated the associations between physical fitness and fall efficacy with thigh circumference in elderly women with osteopenia/osteoporosis. METHODS A total of 166 female participants aged 76.3±5.0 years with –1.0≥T-score of femur neck bone mineral density were voluntarily recruited from local community centers. The participants were classified as low 25%, middle 50%, and high 25% groups based on their thigh circumference. Physical fitness measurements, including strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and balance were measured with a standardized protocol. The Korean version of the fall efficacy scale (K-FES) was used to assess fall efficacy. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odd ratio (OR) of poor physical fitness and low fall efficacy according to thigh circumference levels. RESULTS In terms of physical fitness, the middle 50% group (OR=0.430, 95% CI=0.194-0.953) and high 25% group (OR=0.129, 95% CI=0.049-0.343) had significantly higher linear trend for poor physical fitness compared to the low 25% group (reference), (p<0.001). In fall efficacy, the middle 50% group (OR=0.279, 95% CI=0.119-0.656) and high 25% group (OR=0.100, 95% CI=0.036-0.275) had significantly higher linear trend for low fall efficacy compared to the low 25% group (reference) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The current findings suggest that maintaining high thigh circumference via regular physical activity and diet may contribute to attenuation of decreased risk for poor physical fitness and low fall efficacy in elderly women with osteopenia/osteoporosis.
