A ‘High Risk’ Lifestyle Pattern Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among Qatari Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional National Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of lifestyle patterns, as a combination of diet, physical activity and smoking, on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among Qatari women of childbearing age (n = 418), a population group particularly vulnerable to the health sequela of this syndrome. Using data from the National WHO STEPwise survey conducted in Qatar in 2012, Principal Component Factor Analysis was performed to derive lifestyle patterns with survey variables related to the frequency of consumption of 13 foods/food groups, physical activity levels, and smoking status. MetS was diagnosed using ATPIII criteria. Three lifestyle patterns were identified: ‘High Risk’ pattern, characterized by intakes of fast foods, sweets and sugar sweetened beverages, in addition to lower levels of physical activity and higher smoking prevalence; ‘Prudent’ pattern, driven mainly by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains; and ‘Traditional’ pattern which included beans, meat, dairy products, and a low prevalence of smoking. Among these three lifestyle patterns, only the ‘High Risk’ was associated with MetS, whereby subjects belonging to the third tertile of this pattern’s score had 2.5 times the odds of MetS compared to those belonging to the first tertile. The findings of this study demonstrated the synergy among high risk behaviors among Qatari women in increasing the odds of MetS; the latter being a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Adherence to the Qatar dietary guidelines: a cross-sectional study of the gaps, determinants and association with cardiometabolic risk amongst adults

“…The survey was carried on a nationally representative sample of Qatari adults (18–64 years old) and followed the guidelines set by the WHO for the STEPwise surveys of NCD risk factors [ 19 ]. Details describing the Qatar National STEPwise Survey have been described elsewhere [ 20 ]. In brief, the selection of the households (primary sampling units) was random using multi-stage cluster sampling.…”

The Association between Food Group Consumption Patterns and Early Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Non-Diabetic Healthy People

“…Many causes including age, heredity, and life style, potentially affect the risk of MetS [ 10 11 ]. Among them, diet is one of the important causes.…”

<b>Padrões alimentares e nível de atividade física em adolescentes escolares / Dietary patterns and physical activity level in school adolescents<b>

“…Em vez de se concentrar em um único comportamento (dieta ou atividade física) e sua relação linear com os riscos de desenvolvimento de doenças não transmissíveis, uma nova abordagem enfoca o padrão de estilo de vida, de uma forma mais abrangente e dinâmica (5) . Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar o estado nutricional e o risco cardiovascular, os padrões alimentares, a inatividade e o nível de atividade física e a coexistência destes fatores, em estudantes adolescentes de uma instituição de ensino do noroeste gaúcho, para serem utilizados em futuras intervenções em saúde.…”