Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors Are Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in a Taiwanese Population.
OBJECTIVE
To explore associations between metabolic syndrome and modifiable lifestyle behaviors among the adult population in Taiwan.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from a nationally representative sample that participated in the 2005-2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. The sample (2,337 participants older than 19 years) provided data on demographic characteristics, modifiable lifestyle behaviors, anthropometric measurements, and blood chemistry panel.


METHODS
These data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, univariate logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression to determine factors associated with metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
Metabolic syndrome had a prevalence of 25.2%, and this prevalence increased with age. In univariate regression analysis, metabolic syndrome was associated with age, living with family members, educational level, and modifiable lifestyle behaviors (smoking, drinking, betel quid chewing, and physical activity). Individuals with a smoking history and currently chewing betel quid had the highest risk for metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk for metabolic syndrome might be reduced by public health campaigns to encourage people to quit smoking cigarettes and chewing betel quid. Implementing more modifiable lifestyle behaviors in daily life will decrease metabolic syndrome in Taiwan.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering that betel quid chewing and tobacco smoking interact to adversely affect metabolic syndrome risk, public health campaigns against both behaviors seem to be a cost-effective and efficient health promotion strategy to reduce the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome.
Doctoral Candidate, Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, and Lecturer, Department of Nursing, HungKuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Kuei-Man
KM
Lin
Associate Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Jeng-Yuan
JY
Chiou
Associate Professor, HungKuang University, Department of Nursing, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Shu-Hua
SH
Ko
Assistant Professor, HungKuang University, Department of Nursing, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Jung-Ying
JY
Tan
Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan and Professor, Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Chien-Ning
CN
Huang
Professor, School of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University; Research consultant, Department of Nursing, Chun Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Wen-Chun
WC
Liao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001114:Areca; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Metabolic syndrome; modifiable lifestyle behaviors; population-based study