Biochemical and Anthropometric Markers, Metabolic Syndrome, and Main Dietary Habits of a Waraos Population Sample

Abstract

The goals of the research were to establish the biochemical and anthropometric markers of the Waraos sample population, its frequency of metabolic syndrome, and through a survey, the mains components of its diet: Moriche fruit, plantain, cassava root and its products. A clinical study was including a population of 145 individuals belonging to the Yakariken community Waraos tribe. From this group a random sample of 42 individuals were selected and anthropometric measurements, glucose and insulin in blood serum, insulin resistance by HOMA, blood pressure, as well as lipidic profile were tested. Additionally, samples of the Moriche fruit, plantain unripe fruit, casaba root and “casaba” (cake made from cassava edible pulp) were analyzed. The results obtained showed an average corporal mass index of 23.27 ± 2.52 together with the waist average of 79.51 ± 6.53. The blood screen results demonstrated that in average the basal glucose content was 80.38 ± 12.82 mg/dl, the basal insulin 9.05 ± 6.75, mean of the blood pressure of 90 ± 12, HOMA 1.80 ± 1.78, total cholesterol 133.52 ± 21.42 mg/dl, HDL 37.22 ± 7.88 mg/dl, LDL 82.23 ± 18.20, and the triglycerides 105.12 ± 62.56 mg/dl. The fruits composition had shown high contents of dietary fiber (19.86%), resistant starch (17.61%), and crude fats (18.40%). The results concluded that a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, fibers and unsaturated fatty acids, beside exercise should induce a low insulin resistance with the absence of dislipidemia, reducing the risk for the development of any metabolic syndrome. These results are inherent in low incidence of cardio vascular alterations