Sadra Medical Journal

The Relationship between Body Mass Index, Eating Habits, and Physical Activity with the Components of Metabolic Syndrome among Middle-Aged Adults in Zanjan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abbas Sadeghi 1
Mehdi Maleki 2

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Department of Sports Physiology, Allameh Qazvini Institute of Higher Education, Qazvin, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2025.102126.1511
Abstract
Introduction: The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome is a serious public health problem and is closely associated with physical activity and diet. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), eating habits, and physical activity with the components of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome in Zanjan.
Methods: This correlational study was conducted on a statistical population of men and women aged 40 to 60 years with metabolic syndrome in Zanjan (Iran). A sample of 200 participants was selected using a non-random, convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Nutrition Model of the Integrated Health System. The components of metabolic syndrome, including waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), were measured. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analyses in SPSS software (version 24).
Results: The findings revealed significant correlations as follows: waist circumference was correlated with all three variables of BMI (P=0.001), eating habits (P=0.001), and physical activity (P=0.012); fasting blood sugar was correlated with BMI (P=0.001) and eating habits (P=0.013); triglycerides were correlated with BMI (P=0.001) and physical activity (P=0.012); and HDL was correlated with eating habits (P=0.01). No significant correlation was found between systolic or diastolic blood pressure and any of the studied variables. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI had the greatest effect on the components of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Given the significant correlations between eating habits, physical activity, and metabolic syndrome components in the target population, it is recommended that health officials incorporate lifestyle modification training, focusing particularly on these factors, into health promotion programs for middle-aged adults.

Keywords

Body Mass Index
Feeding Behavior
Metabolic Syndrome
Exercise
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 13, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 583-597

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