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Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in young adults
Author(s) -
Morrell Jesse Stabile,
Burke Joanne Delaney,
Lofgren Ingrid Elizabeth,
Reilly Ruth Ann
Publication year - 2007
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.21.5.a111-d
Subject(s) - medicine , waist , abdominal obesity , metabolic syndrome , obesity , fingerstick , blood pressure , anthropometry , young adult , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
Research has shown that adults underestimate their chronic disease risk and have experienced large increases in obesity prevalence. Unfortunately, data on young adult health risk are limited. The Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative investigated the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MbS) in 788 subjects, 18–25 years, recruited at the Univ. of New Hampshire. Fasting glucose, triglycerides, and HDL‐C were measured by fingerstick (Cholestech® LDX). Blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference were measured according to standard protocol. MbS was determined if ≥3 criteria were present: abdominal obesity, hypertrigylceridemia, low HDL‐C, hypertension, and/or elevated glucose (NCEP ATP III guidelines). Complete assessment data were available for 640 subjects; 30% (n=190) were male and 70% (n=450) were female. The prevalence of MbS was significantly higher among males than females (7.9% vs. 2.7%; p < 0.01) and for those with a BMI ≥25 compared to those with a BMI < 25 (10.8% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.01). Among females, the number of MbS criteria was higher among those that reported < 30 minutes of physical activity per day as compared to those who reported ≥30 minutes (0.8 vs. 0.6; p < 0.05). Findings suggest that screening young adults is important in identifying individuals at risk for MbS and the related lifestyle factors. Health screenings can provide important information on anthropometrics, biomarkers, and lifestyle risks. Supported in part by Office of Sustainability, NH Agricultural Experiment Station #11R571.