Five-year change in physical activity is associated with changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors: The Inter99 study

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether five-year changes in self-reported physical activity level were associated with changes in waist circumference, weight, serum lipids and blood pressure.MethodsIn the Inter99 study (1999–2006) in Copenhagen, Denmark, 4039 men and women (30–60 years) answered questions on lifestyle and provided blood samples and anthropometric measures at baseline and after five years. Multiple regression analyses were performed with five-year value of each cardiovascular biomarker as outcome and change in physical activity level as explanatory variable.ResultsApproximately 50% of the study population were men (n = 2023). Change in physical activity level was inversely associated with change in weight (p < 0.0001), waist (p < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), total cholesterol (p = 0.006), LDL (p = 0.007), triglycerides (p = 0.02) and with a composite risk score “the Copenhagen risk score” (p < 0.0001), and positively associated with HDL in men (p = 0.01).ConclusionFive-year changes in physical activity level were significantly associated with relevant changes in weight, waist circumference, diastolic BP and serum lipids in a population-based cohort of adult men and women. Change in physical activity level induced a significant change in HDL concentration in men only. Women's use of hormone replacement therapy may partly explain this gender difference.