Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and associated factors in middle-aged women: a cross-sectional study in Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT

We determined the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and associated factors in 419 women (aged 40 to 65 years) in Northeast Brazil in a cross-sectional study conducted from April to November 2013. We defined MetS using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Socio-demographic variables, reproductive factors, lifestyle factors, anthropometrics, body composition, quality of life, and physical performance were assessed for their associations. We constructed multivariate Poisson regression models to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We identified 275 (65.6%) cases of MetS. The three most prevalent indicators were obesity (73.5%), reduced high-density lipoprotein level (63.0%), and elevated blood pressure (60.9%). In the final adjusted model, black race (PR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07–1.57), lower grip strength/body mass index (PR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15–1.50), and low estradiol levels (PR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00–1.35) were associated with MetS. MetS is a long-term threat to the health of middle-aged women and a potential public health burden. These results may help in developing health promotion strategies to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with MetS in this vulnerable population.

KEYWORDS:

• Metabolic syndrome
• women
• middle-aged
• prevalence
• Brazil

Authorship

MAM, SMAC, RAN and ACCM contributed to the conception and design of the present study and analysis plan. MAM, AV and ACCM analyzed the data with feedback from all authors. MAM, SMAC and AV also wrote the manuscript. MAM, SMAC, MSMM, RAN e MGA and contributed to the acquisition of data. All authors contributed to the interpretation of the data and to critical review of the manuscript.

Ethical standards disclosure

This study was conducted according to the guidelines laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki and all procedures involving human subjects were approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (number: 387.737). All participants were informed of the objectives and procedures of the research study at the time of first contact and signed an informed consent form.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.