# Physical activity and cardiovascular risk in obese older Korean women: effects on obesity, hypertension, and arterial stiffness

## TL;DR

Regular physical activity helps reduce obesity, high blood pressure, and arterial stiffness in older Korean women at risk for heart disease.

## Contribution

This study shows how physical activity improves cardiovascular risk factors in obese older Korean women.

## Key findings

- Active women had lower body fat, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness compared to inactive women.
- Higher skeletal muscle mass was observed in physically active participants.
- Body fat and blood pressure were positively correlated with arterial stiffness.

## Abstract

With the global aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases has emerged as a critical public health issue. Obesity, in particular, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as hypertension and arterial stiffness (AS). Regular physical activity (PA) may help mitigate these risks. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PA levels on body composition, blood pressure (BP), and AS in Korean obese older women.

A total of 313 obese older women were enrolled and classified into an inactive group (ING, n = 160) and an active group (AG, n = 153) based on their levels of PA. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, BP measured with an automated sphygmomanometer, and AS was evaluated by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Differences between the groups were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, and correlation analyses were conducted to examine relationships among key variables.

The active group exhibited significantly lower body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and cfPWV (all p < 0.001) compared to the inactive group, while skeletal muscle mass was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant positive correlations were observed between body fat percentage and SBP, as well as between SBP and AS.

These findings demonstrate that regular PA is associated with improved body composition and reductions in both BP and AS in obese older women. The results underscore the importance of promoting PA as a preventive strategy against CVD in the aging population. Further research is warranted to explore the effects of various intensities and types of PA on vascular health and metabolic function.