title: A comparison of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in Filipino women and Filipino American women: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women of Filipino ethnicity. The objective of our work was to determine if metabolic syndrome (MetS), a modifiable CVD risk factor, differs in women as a function of country of residency and to determine if, CVD prevention strategies need to differ for these groups of Filipino women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in community-based health screenings for this cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  PARTICIPANTS were recruited at places of worship in southeast United States (n=60) and Central Visayas, Philippines (n=56).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of MetS and its component factors as defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MetS in Filipino women (FW) and Filipino American women (FAW) groups was similar (52% vs 55%, P=.08) although the prevalence of elevated waist circumference was greater for FAW (78% vs 59%, P=.03). Conversely, the percentage of FW women with risk-associated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels was higher than the FAW group (84% vs 42%, P<.001). Other MetS component factors (blood pressure, glucose and triglycerides) did not significantly differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar high rates of MetS were observed in Filipino women regardless of the country of residency although the FAW tended to have higher rates of central obesity while the FW tended to have higher rates of risk-associated HDL levels. Further research should examine the cause of these differences in order to develop better cardiovascular screening and intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. i.ancheta@unf.edu
authors.forename: Irma B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Ancheta
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Battie
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tuason
authors.forename: Christine V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Ancheta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult