The Impact of Body Weight Changes versus Exercise Capacity Changes on Health-Related Factors following a Lifestyle Intervention in Employees with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Lifestyle changes are a cornerstone in the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, evidence as to which components of the MetS and associated aspects of quality of life are driven by weight loss or improvements in exercise capacity are scarce. Methods: Company employees (n = 302, 48.2 ± 8.2 years, BMI 33.2 ± 5.4 kg/m(2)) with diagnosed MetS were evaluated after a 6-month telemonitoring-supported intervention (counselling in nutrition and physical activity) or wait-list control (delayed start of the same intervention). Results: Exercise capacity, body mass index (BMI), and MetS severity were improved after the intervention. Multivariable regression models revealed that changes in BMI were associated with changes in three components of MetS (waist circumference, triglycerides, blood glucose), whereas changes in exercise capacity only were associated to one MetS component change (systolic blood pressure) but also improvements in anxiety severity, aspects of quality of life, and work ability. Conclusions: Both physical activity promotion and diet should be part of a holistic treatment of patients with MetS. However, our data suggest that dietary-induced weight loss might be more successful when aiming at improving MetS risk factors, whereas focusing more on physical activity promotion might be preferred when targeting aspects in quality of life and mental health.