Effects and a dose response relationship of physical activity to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index among Saudis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to examine the effects and a dose response relationship of physical activity on plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and body mass index (BMI) among Saudi men and women living in the metropolis of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

METHODS: The sample population of 474 Saudi men and women visiting the health centers in and around Riyadh was studied from September 2003 to February 2004. The population was classified in 4 physical activity groups on the basis of frequency (F), intensity (I) and time (T) of exercise. The F, I and T value was calculated by multiplying the scores of 3 parameters. Plasma HDL-C and BMI were measured and the association of HDL-C and BMI with all 4 levels of physical activity, sedentary, light, moderate and heavy were calculated applying Pearsons correlation coefficient.

RESULTS: We found that the sedentary Saudi men had mean HDL-C levels of 0.65 ± 0.25 and BMI of 28.7 while women had 0.70 ± 0.22 HDL-C levels and 31.06 BMI. The moderate and heavy physical activity showed an increase of 53-92% and 44.2-95% in the HDL-C levels in both men and women. The physical activity had a strong association to HDL-C and an inverse association to BMI.

CONCLUSION: The substantial increase in the levels of plasma HDL-C and a moderate reduction in BMI is seen in men and women who are at moderate and heavy physical activity status, however the HDL-C level does not reach to the coronary heart disease protective level, if not combined with proper dieting. A health awareness program is urgently needed at the primary care level in KSA to educate people regarding the significance of physical activity and proper diet.