2 research outputs found
The risk of metabolic syndrome as a result of lifestyle among Ellisras rural young adults
The study aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lifestyle risk
factors among Ellisras
adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 624 adults (306 males and 318 females). MetS was
defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. The prevalence of MetS
was 23.1% (8.6% males and 36.8 % females). Females appeared to have higher mean values for waist
circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TCHOL) and low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while males had high mean values for high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure
(DBP). No significant age and gender differences were observed for dietary intake. Significantly more
females (51.9%) presented with increased WC than males (4.6%). Participants who had a high dietary
energy intake were significantly less likely to present with larger WC (OR: 0.250 95% CI [0.161;
0.389]), low HDL-C (OR: 0.306 95% CI [0.220; 0.425]) and high LDL-C (OR: 0.583 95%
CI [0.418; 0.812]) but more likely to present with elevated FBG (OR: 1.01 95% CI [0.735; 1.386]),
high TCHOL (OR: 1.039
95% CI [0.575; 1.337]), high TG (OR: 1.186 95% CI [0.695; 2.023]) and hypertension (OR: 5.205 95%
CI [3.156; 8.585]).
After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, and alcohol status, high energy intake was more than two
times likely to predict MetS in adults with a large WC (OR: 2.766 95% CI [0.863; 3.477] and
elevated FBG (OR: 2.227 95% CI [1.051; 3.328]). Therefore, identifying groups that are at an
increased risk and those that are in their early stages of MetS will help improve
and prevent the increase of the MetS in the future
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa
Morongwe Annah Sekokotla,1 Nandu Goswami,2 Constance Rufaro Sewani-Rusike,1 Jehu Erapu Iputo,3 Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag4 1Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa; 2Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; 3Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, 4Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined as the clustering of three of five risk factors (hypertension, obesity, triglyceridemia, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia), is being increasingly mentioned among children and adolescents despite there being no consensus on how it should be defined in this set of population. Furthermore, very few studies have focused on MetS in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan populations. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the prevalence of the MetS and contributing risk in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa.Research design and methods: Four hundred and ten adolescents (age range: 13–18 years, both sexes) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. In addition to a lifestyle questionnaire being administered, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumferences) were carried out for each participant. Fasting venous blood was collected for lipid profile and blood glucose assessments. Blood pressure was also measured. MetS was assessed using appropriate diagnostic criteria for children and adolescents.Results: Complete data sets were collected from 371 participants. Females showed an elevation in the risk factors for MetS. Of the 371 participants, 40.2% were overweight/obese (47.5% females; 22.5% males). MetS was diagnosed in 3.1% female participants compared with 6.0% in male participants.Conclusions: More risk factors for the MetS are seen among the overweight/obese as compared to lean adolescents. Given the fact that childhood overweight/obesity often continues into adulthood, it is important to address the causes of increased risk for MetS earlier in life to prevent the development of disease in adult life. Keywords: metabolic syndrome, adolescent health, overweight, obesit