Objectives This study aimed to examine the association between meeting the reference value for physical activity (PA) defined in the “Physical activity reference for health promotion 2013” recommendations or incremental increases in PA (add 10-minute per day) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS).
Methods A total of 906 adults aged 23-64 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The amount of moderate to vigorous PA was measured with a tri-axial accelerometer. The participants were classified into 2 groups-those with a PA level greater than or equal to the reference value of 23 metabolic equivalents (METs)-hours/week versus those with a PA level less than the reference value. Pre-MS and MS were determined based on the diagnostic criteria used in Japan. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of pre-MS and MS by adherence with the PA reference value were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Furthermore, adjusted ORs were calculated for each 3.5 METs-hours/week increase in PA, which is comparable to 10-minute increments of PA such as walking.
Results The prevalence rates of pre-MS and MS were 10.3% (n=93) and 4.4% (n=40), respectively. The adjusted OR (95% CI) for the prevalence of pre-MS/MS among the participants meeting the PA reference compared with those not meeting the reference was 0.49 (0.33-0.74). Each 3.5 METs-hours/week increase in PA was associated with a lower adjusted OR for the prevalence of pre-MS/MS (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.98).
Conclusion Our results suggest that meeting the reference value for PA (as defined in the “Physical activity reference for health promotion 2013” recommendations) and an increase in PA (add 10-minute) are both associated with a lower prevalence of pre-MS/MS.

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Objectives To identify factors related to smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava in children attending the upper grades of primary schools in Vanuatu.
Methods We conducted a self-administered survey of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students attending primary schools in both urban and rural areas of Vanuatu. The main survey items included questions on the personal attribute (sex, age, grade); experience of smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava; food consumption (local food/store-bought food); perceptions of local foods and store-bought foods; attitudes toward smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava; knowledge related to non-communicable diseases; attitudes toward health practices; guardians’ health-related parenting attitudes; and family members’ use of tobacco, alcohol, and kava.
The responses for the main outcome variables (smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava) were dichotomized as ‘ever’ versus ‘never’. Factors related to smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava were examined using logistic regression analysis. The significance level was set at P<0.05.
Results A total of 415 (194 urban and 221 rural) students participated in our study that had total and valid response rates of 100% for both. Of the participants, 8%, 12.4%, and 5.8% had previously smoked, consumed alcohol, or consumed kava, respectively. Students’ experience of smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava were mutually associated. Student sex and family members’ smoking status were significantly associated with the participants’ smoking status. Student grades, attitudes toward drinking, and perceptions of local and store-bought food were significantly associated with alcohol consumption. Lastly, attitudes toward kava and alcohol consumption and perceptions of local food were significantly associated with kava consumption.
Conclusion Our results indicate that the food consumption, attitudes toward smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava, and family members’ smoking status were associated with the participants’ smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava. In conclusion, it may be necessary to consider these factors when establishing measures to prevent smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava among primary school students.

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