Prevalence and Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome in Qatar: Results from a National Health Survey

OBJECTIVES: To determine optimum measurements for abdominal obesity and to assess the prevalence and determinants of metabolic syndrome in Qatar. DESIGN: National health survey. SETTING: Qatar National STEPwise Survey conducted by the Supreme Council of Health during 2012. PARTICIPANTS: 2496 Qatari citizens aged 18-64 representative of the general population. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Measure of obesity (body mass index, waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio) that best identified the presence of at least 2 other factors of metabolic syndrome; cut-off values of waist circumference; frequency of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Waist circumference ≥102 for men and ≥94 cm for women was the best predictor of the presence of other determinants of metabolic syndrome (raised blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Using these values, we identified 28% of Qataris with metabolic syndrome, which is considerably lower than the estimate of 37% calculated using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Restricting the analysis to participants without known elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar or diabetes 16.5% would be classified as having metabolic syndrome. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased steadily with age (OR=3.40 (95% CI 2.02 to 5.74), OR=5.66 (3.65 to 8.78), OR=10.2 (5.98 to 17.6) and OR=18.2 (7.01 to 47.5) for those in the age group \u2730-39\u27, \u2740-49\u27, \u2750-59\u27, \u2760-64\u27 vs \u2718-29\u27; p CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference was the best measure of obesity to combine with other variables to construct a country-specific definition of metabolic syndrome in Qatar. Approximately 28% of adult Qatari citizens satisfy the criteria for metabolic syndrome, which increased significantly with age. Education and physical activity were inversely associated with this syndrome

Excessive iodine status among school‐aged children in the State of Qatar: Results of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Survey

Abstract Background Iodine deficiency poses a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in preschool children and pregnant women. Assessing the iodine intake at a population level is essential, as both deficient and excessive iodine status can have adverse health consequences. The main objective of this survey is to understand the iodine deficiency status in schoolchildren aged 6–12 years in the State of Qatar. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from March to June 2014 among school‐aged children using a two‐stage cluster sampling technique. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters for seafood were collected. Spot urine samples were collected from 967 participants, and a repeat random subsample urine was collected from 288 participants. Overall median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was calculated. Iodine content in household salt samples was estimated by qualitative and quantitative methods. Mann–Whitney U test was used for comparison. Results The median UIC was 333.2 μg/L (IQR = 228.6). UIC prevalence rates between 300–999 and >1000 μg/L were 56.7% and 2.8%, respectively. The goiter prevalence was 0.4%. A significant difference was noted in overall median UIC levels between boys and girls (p = 0.003). Adequate iodized salt consumption was reported by 74.9% of households, and weekly seafood consumption was reported by one third of the respondents. Conclusion The results indicate an excess intake of iodine among the studied population in the State of Qatar, and national efforts are needed to bring iodine intake and concentration levels within the cutoff value for the concerned survey population's age group. In addition, a surveillance system needs to be set up for continuous monitoring of iodine content and salt intake at the population level in the State of Qatar