Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether leisure time physical activity (PA) affects metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults. Methods: The subjects were 1,728 adults over age 20 who visited a public health promotion center in Seoul, Korea. All subjects completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and their MetS factors were measured and then defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The association between PA and MetS was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for having MetS and engaging in vigorous PA, moderate PA, and light PA (walking) compared with having MetS and not engaging in vigorous PA, moderate PA, and light PA (walking) were 0.482 (0.322–0.721, p < 0.001), 0.547 (0.370–0.810, p = 0.003), and 0.482 (0.318–0.731, p < 0.001) for once a week, respectively, and 0.763 (0.468–1.243, p = 0.277), 0.697 (0.419–1.160, p = 0.165), and 0.674 (0.403–1.128, p = 0.134) for twice a week, respectively. For thrice a week, these figures were 0.449 (0.248–0.815, p = 0.008), 0.568 (0.338–0.954, p = 0.033), and 0.451 (0.260–0.780, p = 0.004), respectively, and for 4 times a week, the relevant figures were 0.321 (0.123–0.835, p = 0.020), 0.737 (0.362–1.502, p = 0.401), and 0.411 (0.185–0.916, p = 0.030), respectively. The relevant figures for over 5 times a week were 0.216 (0.064–0.727, p = 0.013), 0.390 (0.166–0.915, p = 0.031), and 0.318 (0.181–0.558, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicate that vigorous PA, moderate PA, and walking (light PA) may prevent or reduce MetS in Korean adults.

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