Gender- and age-specific prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults: analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
BACKGROUND
Despite the growing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korea, information is lacking on gender- and age-specific patterns in prevalence of MetS among Korean adults.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to examine (1) gender-specific prevalence of MetS by its component abnormalities, (2) the prevalence of MetS and its component abnormalities by gender and 10-year age groups, and (3) gender-specific lifestyle risk factors for MetS presentation among Korean adults.


METHODS
A secondary data analysis was performed using the most recent national survey. A sample group of 5760 adults (mean age, 44.6 ± 0.46 years; 43.5% men) completed household interviews to provide blood (for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose) and anthropometric measurements (ie, waist circumference, weight, and height) to define MetS, as well as data on lifestyle risk factors.


RESULTS
Approximately 1 in 4 Korean adults met the MetS diagnostic criteria. Given each component abnormality, MetS was the most prevalent in men with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (63.4%), followed by abdominal obesity (62.3%). In women, it was most prevalent in those with hypertriglyceridemia (73.2%), followed by hyperglycemia (69.7%). Metabolic syndrome showed an association with advanced age for both men and women (P < .001 for both), with greater prevalence of MetS in young and middle-aged men than in women (6.7%-39.9% vs 3.3%-36.4%); these patterns were reversed in people 60 years or older (34.0%-40.5% vs 55.2%-64.1%). Gender-specific lifestyle risk factors for MetS presentation showed a significant association with heavy alcohol drinking and obesity for both men (odds ratio, 1.65 and 5.26, respectively; P < .001 for both) and women (odds ratio, 1.96 and 5.94; P < .042 and < .001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in a representative sample of Korean adults, with gender- and age-specific patterns. These results are helpful in identification of vulnerable subgroups at high risk for MetS, providing a basis for promotion of cardiovascular health and risk management of MetS.
Eunok Park, PhD, RN Professor, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, South Korea. JinShil Kim, PhD, RN Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea.
Eunok
E
Park
JinShil
J
Kim
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D044466:Asian People; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL