Community-based study on summer-winter differences of component of metabolic syndrome in Kinmen, Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
A community-based study was conducted to investigate summer-winter differences of component of metabolic syndrome in Kinmen, Taiwan.


METHODS
A total of 8251 residents aged 40 and over were enrolled in the mass survey in Kinmen. They were investigated while on summer (July and August) and winter vacation (January and February) during 2000-2003. Demographics, physical examination findings, lifestyle variables and biochemical data were collected.


RESULTS
After controlling for age, body mass index, diet, lifestyle and other risk factors for component of metabolic syndrome, there were independent and significant relationships between summer-winter difference and component of metabolic syndrome. Winter season was positively correlated with blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose level, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and waist circumference, but was negatively associated with fasting triglycerides and metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Summer season is positively associated with hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C and metabolic syndrome. These findings imply that cross-sectional, experimental and cohort studies of component of metabolic syndrome or metabolic syndrome should take season into account as possible confounding effects.
Chen
Shui-Hu
SH
Community Medicine Research Center and Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Li-Nong St., Sec.2, Peitou, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC.
Jen
I-An
IA
Chuang
Shao-Yuan
SY
Lin
Kuan-Chia
KC
Chou
Pesus
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides