RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The World Health Report 2002 estimated that sedentary is one of the main 10 causes of morbidity and mortality and the proportion of people whose health is at risk due to sedentary life is approximately 60%. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of the physical activity level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in 61 healthy men. METHODS: The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) recommended by the World Health Organization was used as a valid measure to estimate two categories of physical activity, such as: low level (insufficient and sedentary) and vigorous level (moderate and very active). Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were defined according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program of the United States and International Diabetes Federation respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin were also measured, and insulin sensitivity was estimated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 47.1 ± 6.9 years. 17 participants (28%) had metabolic syndrome. There were no differences between the categories of low and vigorous level physical activity, or relationship with total physical activity (MET × week). No association was seen between low levels of physical activity and metabolic syndrome criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of physical inactivity found in study participants using the IPAQ questionnaire was not associated to cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome.