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Screening young adults for the metabolic syndrome
Author(s) -
Morrell Jesse Stabile,
Burke Joanne Delaney,
Lofgren Ingrid Elizabeth,
Reilly Ruth Ann
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a858-a
Subject(s) - medicine , hypertriglyceridemia , abdominal obesity , waist , metabolic syndrome , anthropometry , incidence (geometry) , endocrinology , obesity , cholesterol , triglyceride , physics , optics
It has been estimated that 24% of U.S adults over the age of 20 have the metabolic syndrome (MBS). Although MBS increases the risk of coronary heart disease up to 3.0 fold, there are no specific recommendations for screening individuals for this condition. Prevalence of MBS was examined in 452 subjects, 18–25 years old, recruited from an introductory nutrition course at the Univ. of New Hampshire. Glucose (GLU), triglycerides, and HDL‐C were measured by fingerstick after an 8–12‐hour fast using the Cholestech LDX System. Systolic (SYS) and diastolic (DIA) blood pressures were measured in the seated position after a five minute rest period. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) information was self‐reported. Using NCEP ATP III guidelines, MBS was determined if ≥ 3 criteria were present: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL‐C, hypertension, and/or elevated glucose. Complete biochemical and anthropometric data were available for 335 subjects; 33% (n=112) were male and 67% (n=223) were female. As compared to females, males had greater WC (33.2±3.1 vs. 30.2±3.8 in), GLU (96.0±8.2 vs. 91.8±8.8 mg/dL), SYS (130.6±11.9 vs. 116.4±11.2 mm Hg), and DIA (80.4±8.6 vs. 77.5±9.4 mm Hg); all p <0.01. HDL‐C was lower among men than women (44.1±12.8 vs. 58.5±12.5 mg/dL; p <0.01). The incidence of MBS among men was significantly higher than females (23.2% vs. 6.7%; p <0.01). Overall, 12.2% of the subjects met the NCEP ATP III diagnostic criteria for MBS. Findings suggest that screening for MBS in young adults, especially in young men, is important in identifying individuals at risk for chronic disease. Supported in part by Office of Sustainability, NH Agricultural Experiment Station #11R571.