Physical activity for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders

Metabolic syndrome and its various features 10 (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and nonal- 11 coholic fatty liver disease) are increasing worldwide and 12 constitute a severe risk for the sustainability of the present 13 universal Italian health care system. Lifestyle interventions 14 should be the first therapeutic strategy to prevent/treat 15 metabolic diseases, far before pharmacologic treatment. 16 The role of diet and weight loss has been fully ascertained, 17 whereas the role of physical activity is frequently over- 18 looked both by physicians and by patients. Physical activity 19 has favorable effects on all components of the metabolic 20 syndrome and on the resulting cardiovascular risk, the 21 cornerstone in the development of cardiometabolic dis- 22 eases. The quantity and the frequency of physical activity 23 necessary to produce beneficial effects has not been defined 24 as yet, but brisk walking is considered particularly appro- 25 priate, as it can be practiced by a large number of indi- 26 viduals, without any additional cost, and has a low rate of 27 injury. The effects of exercise and leisure time physical 28 activity extend from prevention to treatment of the various 29 components of the metabolic syndrome, as well as to mood 30 and quality of life. Any effort should be done to favor adherence to protocols of physical activity in the 31 community.