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Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is an important determinant of metabolic health, yet individuals with similar body mass can differ in metabolic function. Frequency of aerobic (AT) and/or strength training (ST) may differentiate metabolically healthy from unhealthy individuals, independent of body composition. PURPOSE: To compare AT and ST frequency among metabolically healthy lean (MHL), and metabolically healthy (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy (MUO) adults with obesity. METHODS: 59 men and women arrived at the Applied Physiology Lab following an overnight fast (0700h-0900h). Metabolic health (MH) status was assessed by cardiometabolic disease (CMD) history, resting blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, and fasting and 2h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose values. Body composition was measured by DXA, and a % body fat > 30% was classified as having obesity. MH was defined as absence of diagnosed CMD, and fewer than 2 of the following criteria: a) TGs < 95 mg/dL; b) HDL > 40 (men) or 50 (women) mg/dL; c) fasting glucose < 100 mg/dL; d) 2h OGTT glucose < 140 mg/dL; and e) resting BP < 130/85 mmHg. PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data were analyzed between groups using a one-way ANOVA and a Chi-square test. RESULTS: Participants included 27 MHL (27.7±8.9 y), 23 MHO (31.9±15.0 y), and 9 MUO (48.7±14.7 y). Based on PAVS responses, MHL reported more AT minutes/week (318.1 ± 335.4 min) compared to MUO (73.9 ± 43.7 min, p = .03), but AT minutes/week were similar between MHL and MHO (202.1 ± 131.1 min, p = .22). ST frequency followed a similar pattern with MHL (3.5 ± 1.4 days/week, p < 0.01) and MHO (3.1 ± 1.8 days/week, p = 0.05) completing more days/week compared to MUO (1.6 ± 1.7 days/week). A Chi-square test showed a significant association between metabolic health and IPAQ classification (p < 0.01), with 35 MHL and MHO individuals, compared to only 2 MUO, classified as completing >3,000 MET-min/week (high). CONCLUSION: Metabolically healthy individuals, regardless of weight status, engaged in more PA overall. These findings highlight the importance of regular exercise as a potential behavioral marker of metabolic health and a modifiable target for intervention.

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