Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, exacerbated metabolic health issues, and altered lifestyle behaviors. This study examined the sex-specific impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence of metabolic syndrome using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from the KNHANES VII (2018) and VIII (2019–2021), including 15,499 participants, were analyzed. The study population was stratified by sex, and further subdivisions were conducted based on the timeframe relative to the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as age, education level, household income, smoking status, and high-risk drinking were analyzed to assess their influence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased from 28.11% before the outbreak to 29.69% after the outbreak. Both males and females reported significant increases in waist circumference and fasting glucose levels. Age and education level differentially influenced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the sex. Smoking was significantly associated with increased prevalence in males, whereas high-risk drinking was associated with increased prevalence in males and decreased prevalence in females. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with notable sex-specific differences. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific public health interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on metabolic health.

We investigated whether endurance exercise training (EXT) ameliorates circadian rhythm (CR)-induced risk factors by improving skeletal muscle (SKM) mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating apoptotic protein expression. We distinguished between regular and shift workers using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and investigated the health problems caused by shift work (CR disturbance) and the potential therapeutic effects of exercise. In our animal study, 36 rats underwent 12 weeks of CR disturbance, divided into regular and irregular CR groups. These groups were further split into EXT (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) for an additional 8 weeks. We analyzed SKM tissue to understand the molecular changes induced by CR and EXT. NHANES data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and Prism 8 software, while experimental animal data were analyzed using Prism 8 software. The statistical procedures used in each experiment are indicated in the figure legends. Our studies showed that CR disturbance increases dyslipidemia, alters circadian clock proteins (BMAL1, PER2), raises apoptotic protein levels, and reduces mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM. EXT improved LDL-C and HDLC levels without affecting muscle BMAL1 expression. It also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis (AMPK, PGC-1α, Tfam, NADH-UO, COX-I), antioxidant levels (Catalase, SOD1, SOD2), and apoptotic protein (p53, Bax/Bcl2) expression or activity in SKM. We demonstrated that shift work-induced CR disturbance leads to dyslipidemia, diminished mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced antioxidant capacity in SKM. However, EXT can counteract dyslipidemia under CR disturbance, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

We investigated whether endurance exercise training (EXT) ameliorates circadian rhythm (CR)-induced risk factors by improving skeletal muscle (SKM) mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating apoptotic protein expression. We distinguished between regular and shift workers using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and investigated the health problems caused by shift work (CR disturbance) and the potential therapeutic effects of exercise. In our animal study, 36 rats underwent 12 weeks of CR disturbance, divided into regular and irregular CR groups. These groups were further split into EXT (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) for an additional 8 weeks. We analyzed SKM tissue to understand the molecular changes induced by CR and EXT. NHANES data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and Prism 8 software, while experimental animal data were analyzed using Prism 8 software. The statistical procedures used in each experiment are indicated in the figure legends. Our studies showed that CR disturbance increases dyslipidemia, alters circadian clock proteins (BMAL1, PER2), raises apoptotic protein levels, and reduces mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM. EXT improved LDL-C and HDLC levels without affecting muscle BMAL1 expression. It also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis (AMPK, PGC-1α, Tfam, NADH-UO, COX-I), antioxidant levels (Catalase, SOD1, SOD2), and apoptotic protein (p53, Bax/Bcl2) expression or activity in SKM. We demonstrated that shift work-induced CR disturbance leads to dyslipidemia, diminished mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced antioxidant capacity in SKM. However, EXT can counteract dyslipidemia under CR disturbance, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

We investigated whether endurance exercise training (EXT) ameliorates circadian rhythm (CR)-induced risk factors by improving skeletal muscle (SKM) mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating apoptotic protein expression. We distinguished between regular and shift workers using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and investigated the health problems caused by shift work (CR disturbance) and the potential therapeutic effects of exercise. In our animal study, 36 rats underwent 12 weeks of CR disturbance, divided into regular and irregular CR groups. These groups were further split into EXT (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) for an additional 8 weeks. We analyzed SKM tissue to understand the molecular changes induced by CR and EXT. NHANES data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and Prism 8 software, while experimental animal data were analyzed using Prism 8 software. The statistical procedures used in each experiment are indicated in the figure legends. Our studies showed that CR disturbance increases dyslipidemia, alters circadian clock proteins (BMAL1, PER2), raises apoptotic protein levels, and reduces mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM. EXT improved LDL-C and HDLC levels without affecting muscle BMAL1 expression. It also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis (AMPK, PGC-1α, Tfam, NADH-UO, COX-I), antioxidant levels (Catalase, SOD1, SOD2), and apoptotic protein (p53, Bax/Bcl2) expression or activity in SKM. We demonstrated that shift work-induced CR disturbance leads to dyslipidemia, diminished mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced antioxidant capacity in SKM. However, EXT can counteract dyslipidemia under CR disturbance, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

We investigated whether endurance exercise training (EXT) ameliorates circadian rhythm (CR)-induced risk factors by improving skeletal muscle (SKM) mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating apoptotic protein expression. We distinguished between regular and shift workers using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and investigated the health problems caused by shift work (CR disturbance) and the potential therapeutic effects of exercise. In our animal study, 36 rats underwent 12 weeks of CR disturbance, divided into regular and irregular CR groups. These groups were further split into EXT (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) for an additional 8 weeks. We analyzed SKM tissue to understand the molecular changes induced by CR and EXT. NHANES data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and Prism 8 software, while experimental animal data were analyzed using Prism 8 software. The statistical procedures used in each experiment are indicated in the figure legends. Our studies showed that CR disturbance increases dyslipidemia, alters circadian clock proteins (BMAL1, PER2), raises apoptotic protein levels, and reduces mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM. EXT improved LDL-C and HDLC levels without affecting muscle BMAL1 expression. It also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis (AMPK, PGC-1α, Tfam, NADH-UO, COX-I), antioxidant levels (Catalase, SOD1, SOD2), and apoptotic protein (p53, Bax/Bcl2) expression or activity in SKM. We demonstrated that shift work-induced CR disturbance leads to dyslipidemia, diminished mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced antioxidant capacity in SKM. However, EXT can counteract dyslipidemia under CR disturbance, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

We investigated whether endurance exercise training (EXT) ameliorates circadian rhythm (CR)-induced risk factors by improving skeletal muscle (SKM) mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating apoptotic protein expression. We distinguished between regular and shift workers using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and investigated the health problems caused by shift work (CR disturbance) and the potential therapeutic effects of exercise. In our animal study, 36 rats underwent 12 weeks of CR disturbance, divided into regular and irregular CR groups. These groups were further split into EXT (n = 12) and sedentary (n = 12) for an additional 8 weeks. We analyzed SKM tissue to understand the molecular changes induced by CR and EXT. NHANES data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and Prism 8 software, while experimental animal data were analyzed using Prism 8 software. The statistical procedures used in each experiment are indicated in the figure legends. Our studies showed that CR disturbance increases dyslipidemia, alters circadian clock proteins (BMAL1, PER2), raises apoptotic protein levels, and reduces mitochondrial biogenesis in SKM. EXT improved LDL-C and HDLC levels without affecting muscle BMAL1 expression. It also enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis (AMPK, PGC-1α, Tfam, NADH-UO, COX-I), antioxidant levels (Catalase, SOD1, SOD2), and apoptotic protein (p53, Bax/Bcl2) expression or activity in SKM. We demonstrated that shift work-induced CR disturbance leads to dyslipidemia, diminished mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced antioxidant capacity in SKM. However, EXT can counteract dyslipidemia under CR disturbance, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders.