Experienced poor lighting contributes to the seasonal fluctuations in weight and appetite that relate to the metabolic syndrome.
We tested which environmental, social, lifestyle, and health related factors of the individual contribute to the seasonal variations in mood and behavior and whether these influence the risks of the metabolic syndrome and major depressive disorder, both conditions having a high prevalence in industrialized populations. 5480 individuals, representative of the general population aged 30 and over in Finland, were assessed for metabolic syndrome using the ATP-III criteria, gave a self-report of seasonal variations in mood and behavior, and were interviewed for mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders using the DSM-IV criteria. The seasonal variations in mood and behavior have a metabolic factor composed of weight and appetite, and greater loadings on this factor increased the risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio of 1.18, 95% confidence interval of 1.10 to 1.26). Self-reports of lighting experienced as poor at home contributed to scores on the metabolic factor (t = 4.20, P < .0001). Lighting conditions and their dynamics may serve as a measure for intervention in order to influence the seasonal metabolic signals and in the end to prevent the metabolic syndrome.
Grimaldi
Sharon
S
National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland.
Englund
Ani
A
Partonen
Timo
T
Haukka
Jari
J
Pirkola
Sami
S
Reunanen
Antti
A
Aromaa
Arpo
A
Lönnqvist
Jouko
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001066:Appetite; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001835:Body Weight; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008029:Lighting; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D057566:Self Report; D012919:Social Behavior; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D014527:Uric Acid; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase