Correlates of the metabolic syndrome among a sample of women in the San Juan Metropolitan area of Puerto Rico.
BACKGROUND
The metabolic syndrome is an interaction of risk factors that may lead to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Given the need for data in Puerto Rico, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between demographic, lifestyles, and reproductive characteristics and the metabolic syndrome among a sample of women (N = 564) in the San Juan Metropolitan Area. The metabolic syndrome was defined based on the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria.


RESULTS
In multivariate logistic regression models, women aged 40-59 and 60-79 years were 3.03 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.70, 5.40] and 7.05 (95% CI, 3.69, 13.49) times more likely, respectively, to have the metabolic syndrome as compared to those aged 21-39 years. A dose-response relationship was also observed between body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome. Physical activity reduced the odds for metabolic syndrome [prevalence odds ratios (POR) = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41, 1.01]; however, this association was marginally significant (P = 0.05). Among reproductive characteristics, only women who had a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) were 2.14 (95% CI, 1.02, 4.51) times more likely to have metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with previous studies, increased age and BMI, physical inactivity, and GDM are associated with the metabolic syndrome in this population. This information is relevant for the development of preventive interventions for the metabolic syndrome.
Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ana Patricia
AP
Ortiz
Erick
E
Suárez
Giovanna
G
Beauchamp
Josefina
J
Romaguera
Marievelisse
M
Soto-Salgado
Cynthia M
CM
Pérez
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult