In a new study, researchers found that following a routine of regular physical activity combined with a diet including fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods may be key to middle-aged adults achieving optimal heart and metabolic health later in life.
The research was conducted by a team at Boston University.
Cardiometabolic health risk factors include metabolic syndrome, a cluster of disorders such as excess fat around the waist, insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
The presence of metabolic syndrome may increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
The current physical activity guidelines recommend that adults achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, such as walking or swimming.
The dietary guidelines, which were updated in January 2021, offer suggestions for healthy eating patterns, nutritional targets and dietary limits.
In the study, the team examined data from 2,379 adults ages 18 and older and their adherence to the two guidelines.
The data were from participants of the Framingham Heart Study, which began more than 70 years ago in Framingham, Massachusetts.
The team found that meeting a combination of the two recommendations during midlife was linked to lower risks of metabolic syndrome and developing serious health conditions.
People who followed the physical activity recommendations alone had 51% lower odds of metabolic syndrome;
People who adhered to the dietary guidelines alone had 33% lower odds; and
Participants who followed both guidelines had 65% lower odds of developing metabolic syndrome.
The team suggests that doctors could use these findings to emphasize to their patients the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercises to avoid numerous chronic health conditions in the present and in later life.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. One author of the study is Vanessa Xanthakis, Ph.D., FAHA.
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