A Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors in Colombian Collegiate Students: The FUPRECOL-Adults Study

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the major public health problems worldwide. The objective of the present study is to investigate the prevalence and the associated variables of MetS in Colombian collegiate students. This cross-sectional study included a total of 890 (52% women) healthy collegiate students (21.3 ± 3.2 years old). The prevalence of MetS was determined by the definition provided by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). We further examined associations between the prevalence of MetS and related factors, such as age, gender, anthropometric and body composition, weight status, and nutrition profile. The overall prevalence of MetS was 6.0% (95% CI = 4.5% to 7.6%), and it was higher in men than women. The most prevalent components were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, waist circumference, and blood pressure levels. The predisposing factors for having a MetS included: being male, over 23 years old, overweight or obese, and having an unhealthy waist-to-height ratio. In conclusion, the occurrence of MetS in young adults is substantial. These findings may be relevant to health promotion efforts for collegiate students in order to develop prospective studies and screening for young adults, which will aid in targeted intervention development to decrease cardiometabolic risk factors.

Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Related to Metabolic Syndrome in College Students: A Cross-Sectional Secondary Data Analysis

“…Generally, researchers ignore young adults with chronic disease development in their risk analyses, even when assessing MS prevalence. Diagnostic assessment of these individuals is needed for the early identification of MS and its components [2,22]. In many studies, MS morbidity varies based on race, region, sex, age, and participant lifestyle choices; thus, the rate and risk factors of MS should be compared with the various characteristics of the participants.…”

“…Similarly, some experts identified higher MS prevalence rates in men, but some studies showed only slight sex differences [7,10,11,12]. Furthermore, some studies identified a distinct relationship between MS and sex, with higher proportions among women [2,21,22,23,24]. This diverse outcome variability is due to the fact that the syndrome is highly affected by the ethnic background and lifestyle of students.…”

Percentage of Body Fat and Fat Mass Index as a Screening Tool for Metabolic Syndrome Prediction in Colombian University Students

“…Our results have public health and clinical implications as college populations have been reported as a period in life when several behavioral and metabolic changes occur. These changes, in addition to the adoption of a Western lifestyle and diet, have led to a rise in the prevalence of overweight and obese Colombians, particularly among university students [ 32 , 51 ]. Further studies are needed to identify clinical characteristics in young adults that could be used in screening tests to predict MetS risk in adulthood.…”

Tri-Ponderal Mass Index vs. Fat Mass/Height3 as a Screening Tool for Metabolic Syndrome Prediction in Colombian Children and Young People

“…In this context, the over-accumulation of body fat correlates epidemiologically with various pathophysiological sequelae, including a higher incidence of MetS, which is usually associated with CVD mortality [ 10 ]. Thus, epidemiological studies have reported an association of fat distribution and metabolic risk factors, including high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, with a risk of MetS in Colombian children and young people [ 11 , 12 ].…”