Introduction: The main activity in León Mexico is footwear industry. Many studies have shown that people with low physical activity have increased the risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. There is scanty information about metabolic risk factors in shoe workers.

Purpose: to compare metabolic risk factors in shoe workers according to their physical activity level.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-three shoe workers (49 women and 104 men) participated in this study (Age 36.5±11.1 years). Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) large form. They were classified in 3 groups: low physical activity (LPA, n= 23), moderate physical activity (MPA, n= 46) and high physical activity (HPA, n= 84). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), metabolic (glucose, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and anthropometrics (body weight, high, waist and hip circumferences) were measured.

Results: Fifteen percent of participants were classified as Low-PA (23/153), 30% as Moderate-PA (46/153) and 54% as High-PA (84/153). Body mass index (29.8 vs 26.9 and 26.3 Kg/m2 respectively, p< 0.01) and waist circumference (94 vs 89 and 86 cm respectively, p< 0.001) were higher in Low-PA vs Moderate-PA and High-PA. Cholesterol was higher in LPA vs HPA (181 vs 163 mg/dl, p< 0.04), triglycerides were higher in LPA vs MPA and HPA (210 vs 163 and 161 mg/dl).

Conclusions: In this young age sample of shoe workers, people with low physical activity have increased anthropometric (BMI and waist circumference) and metabolic (cholesterol and triglycerides) which are related to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.