Gender Differences in Lifestyle Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Preliminary Metabolic Syndrome in the General Population: The Watari Study

Abstract

Objective In Japan, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and preliminary metabolic syndrome (preMetS) are more prevalent in men; however, it remains unclear whether the relationship between these metabolic disorders and lifestyle factors is similar between genders. Methods We examined waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood, and various lifestyle factors in 3,166 individuals aged from 30-79 years of age from the Japanese general population. MetS was diagnosed on the basis of central obesity - assessed by waist circumference - plus two or more of the following cardio-metabolic risks according to Japanese criteria: high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and lipid abnormality. Central obesity plus one of the risks was defined as preMetS. Results Men had a significantly higher prevalence of MetS (23.3% vs. 8.7%, p<0.001) and preMetS (21.2% vs. 10.2%, p<0.001) than women. An age-adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that heavy drinkers were associated with an increased probability of MetS (odds ratio, 1.91: 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.83) and preMetS (1.69: 1.11-2.58); fast eaters were also related to preMetS (1.83: 1.33-2.55) and MetS (1.55: 1.12-2.15) in men. Lacking regular exercise was significantly associated with preMetS (1.38: 1.03-1.85), but not MetS. In women, preMetS was significantly associated with fast eaters and lacking regular exercise (1.44: 1.01-2.07 and 1.41: 1.02-1.96, respectively); a stepwise increase in each odds ratio (2.02: 1.40-2.91 and 1.47: 1.03-2.09, respectively) was also observed for MetS. Conclusion The relationships between lifestyle factors and MetS or preMetS differed between men and women, which suggests the need for gender-specific lifestyle modification to effectively prevent MetS.

Associations between eating habits and glycemic control and obesity in Japanese workers with type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…In the general population, young people often show less healthy eating habits compared with older generations. 18 – 20 Of the 929 workers aged 20–40 years in the primary analysis set, 428 (46.1%) regularly ate supper within 2 hours of bedtime, 225 (24.2%) skipped breakfast more than three times a week, and 159 (17.1%) regularly ate snacks after supper; these percentages were higher than for the workers aged ≥40 years (data not shown). Consistent with our data, poor glycemic control and obesity were more frequently reported in younger patients with T2DM.…”

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among a population-based study in south of Iran, PERSIAN Kharameh cohort study

“…Hattori and colleagues conducted a study on japenesse people, and reported that the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in male subjects (23.3%) than female subjects (8.7%). 44 Ebrahimi et al reported the prevalence of MetS as 10.88% among males and 13.03% among females. 45 Hajian-Tilaki and colleagues also reported the overall prevalence of MetS as 42.3% (36.5% in males vs. 47.1% in females).…”

Associations between caries experience, dietary habits, and metabolic syndrome in Japanese adults

“…MetS was defined according to the recommendations of the Japanese Committee for the Diagnostic Criteria of Metabolic Syndrome (12,13). The presence of central obesity (WC ≥85 cm in males, ≥90 cm in females) was checked, along with two or more of the following risk factors: lipid abnormality (triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL and/ or HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL or use of medications for dyslipidemia), high blood pressure (SBP ≥130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥85 mmHg or use of medications for hypertension), and hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar ≥110 mg/dL or use of medications for diabetes).…”