2 research outputs found

    High prevalence of metabolic syndrome & its correlates in two tribal populations of India & the impact of urbanization

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    Background & objectives: Metabolic syndrome is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The prevalence of this syndrome is high among Asians, including Indians, and is rising, particularly with the adoption of a modernized life style. Whether traditional societies in India have a low prevalence and the extent to which a transition to a modern life style contributes to the increase in prevalence are unknown. To examine the role of environmental and genetic factors in metabolic syndrome we conducted a study in two sub-Himalayan tribal populations with shared ancestry (Toto and Bhutia). The Toto live exclusively in a rural area, whereas a section of the Bhutia has adopted a modern life style. Methods: Fasting (12 h) blood samples of Toto (n=258); rural Bhutia (n=75) and urban Bhutia (n=230) were collected, with written informed consent. Lipid profile, blood pressures, body fat and other anthropometric parameters were assessed. Criteria suggested by National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) were used for assessment of metabolic syndrome. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (about 30-50%) among the Bhutia, with no significant rural-urban difference. Among the Toto, though the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was low (about 4-9%), their lipid levels were alarmingly adverse (about 37-67% had low HDLcholesterol or high triglyceride levels). There was an additional adverse impact of adoption of urban life-styles (perhaps primarily mediated through dietary changes) on cardiovascular risk factors. Interpretation & conclusion: Our study suggested that metabolic syndrome and its correlates could be a major health problem even in traditional societies, indicating that this syndrome was not necessarily a result of modernization. Further, our study indicates that genetic factors that adversely affect the levels of such variables have long antiquities in Indian ethnic groups

    Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in two tribal populations of the sub-Himalayan region of India: ethnic and rural-urban differences

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    This study was undertaken to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome in traditional societies in the sub-Himalayan region and to assess the impact of modernization on the risk to the syndrome. Two tribal populations-Toto and Bhutia-with a shared ancestry and habitat were selected. Some Bhutians have adopted a modern lifestyle. The study design permitted assessment of the relative roles of lifestyle and genetic factors in influencing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our study has revealed that metabolic syndrome (or its contributing variables) can be a major health problem, even in traditional rural ethnic groups, indicating that this syndrome is not necessarily a result of modernization or urbanization. Dyslipidemia seems to be the major contributor to metabolic syndrome. Further, our study indicates that genetic factors that adversely affect the levels of such variables have long antiquities in Indian ethnic groups. We find that there is an additional adverse impact of adoption of urban lifestyles (perhaps primarily mediated through dietary changes) on metabolic syndrome
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