Increase in physical activity energy expenditure is associated with reduced metabolic risk independent of change in fat mass: The MRC Ely Study

Objective: To examine whether change in physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) is associated with change in metabolic risk factors and whether this association is independent of change in fat mass and aerobic fitness. Research Design and Methods: In a population-based sample of 176 men and 217 women followed prospectively (5.6 years), we measured PAEE by individually calibrated heart rate monitoring, aerobic fitness, total body fat (FM), and metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, insulin and 2-hour glucose) at baseline and follow-up. Results: A 100 J/kgFFM/min increase in PAEE from baseline to follow-up reduced triglycerides by 3.5% (95% CI 0.03% to 5.7%) in men and 3.2% (95% CI 0.02% to 5.4%) in women, fasting insulin [reduced by 5.3% (95% CI 1.0% to 7.5%) in men and women], and 2 hour glucose [reduced by 3.2% (95% CI 0.3% to 5.3%) in men and 3.1% (0.3% to 5.2%) in women] at followup, after adjustment for sex, age, smoking status, aerobic fitness, baseline phenotype and change in fat mass. In general, the magnitudes of association for change in fat mass with metabolic risk factors were 2 to 3 times stronger than for PAEE. Conclusions: Increasing levels of physical activity may protect against metabolic disease even in the absence of improved aerobic fitness and reduced body fatness. Therefore, the combination of increasing levels of physical activity and avoidance of gain in fat mass is likely to be the most successful approach for preventing cardiovascular and metabolic disease.