title: Frequency of metabolic syndrome and the food intake patterns in adults living in a rural area of Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, is related to an inadequate food intake pattern. Its incidence is increasing among Brazilian adults, including those living in rural areas. Our aim was not only to describe the frequency of MetS in adults with or without MetS but also to compare their food intake pattern as assessed by the healthy eating index (HEI) and serum albumin and C reactive protein (CRP) levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men and women (n = 246) living in a small village in Brazil were included. MetS was characterized according to the adult treatment panel (ATP III) criteria. Groups were compared by chi-square, student t or Mann-Whitney tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MetS was diagnosed in 15.4% of the cases. The MetS group showed higher CRP (1.8±1.2 vs. 1.0±0.9 mg/dl) and lower albumin (4.3±0.3 vs. 4.4±0.3 g/dl) serum levels compared to the control group. Additionally, the MetS group showed lower scores (median[range]) in the HEI compared to the control group (53.5[31.2-78.1] vs 58[29.7-89.5], respectively). The MetS group also had decreased scores for total fat and daily variety of food intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that adults with MetS displayed chronic mild inflammation and a poorer food intake pattern than the control group.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Nutrologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro,Uberaba, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Karine Fedrigo
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Aluízio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prata
authors.forename: Daniel Ferreira da
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein