Cardiovascular health metrics and accelerometer-measured physical activity levels: national health and nutrition examination survey, 2003-2006

Objective: To determine whether relationships exist between accelerometer-measured moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA) and other cardiovascular (CV) health metrics in a large sample. Patients and Methods: Data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2006, were used. Overall, 3454 nonpregnant adults 20 years or older who fasted for 6 hours or longer, with valid accelerometer data and with CV health metrics, were included in the study. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), smoking status, diet, fasting plasma glucose level, and total cholesterol level were defined as ideal, intermediate, and poor on the basis of American Heart Association criteria. Results were weighted to account for sampling design, oversampling, and nonresponse. Results: Significant increasing linear trends in mean daily MVPA were observed across CV health levels for BMI, BP, and fasting plasma glucose (P