Related news
A routine of physical activity, combined with a diet that includes fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods, could be the key for middle-aged adults to achieve optimal cardiometabolic health in the future, according to new research using data from Framingham Heart Study published in Journal of the American Heart Association, American Heart Association magazine, based in Dallas (United States).
One of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular health is metabolic syndrome, a group of disorders made up of excess fat around the waist, insulin resistance and high blood pressure. In fact, the presence of metabolic syndrome may increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Thus, the US health authorities recommend that adults perform at least one performance 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per weeksuch as walking or swimming. On the other hand, the dietary guidelines, which were updated in January 2021, offer suggestions on healthy eating patterns, nutritional goals and dietary limits.
A 70-year study
In an analysis of the data of the participants in Framingham Heart Study, which started more than 70 years ago in Framingham (Massachusetts, USA), The researchers examined data from 2,379 adults over the age of 18 and their compliance with the two guidelines, both physical and dietary.
Thus, they observed that compliance with a combination of the two recommendations during middle age was associated less likely to develop metabolic syndrome and develop serious conditions as participants got older.
“Healthcare professionals could use these findings to promote and empower their patients the benefits of a healthy diet and a regular exercise program to prevent the development of many chronic health conditions in the present and future life, “said study author Vanessa Xanthakis.” The sooner people make these lifestyle changes, the more likely they are to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease later. , “he adds.
Necessary objectives
Study participants were selected from the third generation of Framingham Heart Study. These, with an average age of 47 years and a percentage of women of 54%, were examined between 2008 and 2011. The researchers evaluated physical activity using a specialized device known as an omnidirectional accelerometer.
The device, which tracks sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, was worn on the participant’s hip for eight days. Researchers, too collected dietary information using food frequency questionnaires to measure the types and levels of food and nutrients consumed.
Thus, the researchers observed that, among all participants, 28% followed the recommendations for both physical activity and dietary guidelines, while 47% reached recommendations in only one of the guidelines.
Cardiovascular risk
In addition, the researchers also found that participants who followed only physical activity recommendations were 51% less likely to have metabolic syndrome, while participants who followed only dietary guidelines were 33% less likely to have less chance; and participants who followed both guidelines had 65% less likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
“In particular we observed a dose-response association of dietary and physical activity guidelines with the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease later in life, “Xanthakis said.” Participants who followed physical activity guidelines had a progressively lower risk of cardiometabolic disease because adherence to dietary guidelines increased, “he adds.
However, all study participants were white adults, so the results could not be generalized to people from other racial or ethnic groups. “Further studies with a sample of multiethnic participants are needed”the researchers argued.