Objective

Determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, the level of physical activity and the association with these factors in the elderly from the Ecuadorian highlands.

Methods

Cross-sectional study that evaluated 387 older adults from Cuenca-Ecuador, who wished to participate and signed the informed consent. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made using the criteria of the National Program of Education on Cholesterol and the Adult Treatment Panel III, for the value of Abdominal Circumference the criteria used for the Asian population was considered. The level of physical activity was evaluated by the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The groups with and without metabolic syndrome were compared using the chi-square test and student's t-test. The analysis of variance was used to evaluate the association between the components of the metabolic syndrome and the level of physical activity.

Results

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (59.9 %), as well as the high level of physical activity (45 %), however, there was no significant association between the metabolic syndrome and physical activity level.

Conclusions

Older adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome presented the same level of physical activity as individuals without this diagnosis. It is necessary to confirm the present findings using direct measurement instruments of physical activity.