Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Men and Women Aged ≥50 Years

Background: There are limited studies on the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in people aged ≥50 years. This study investigated the sociodemographic and health characteristics related to MetS prevalence in men and women aged ≥50 years to assess clustering of risk factors. Methods: This study used the 2016 survey data of 2927 people aged 50-79 years who were administered questionnaires and underwent examinations. Participants were divided into adults aged 50-64 and 65-79 years and further into four subgroups, according to sex. Differences in sociodemographic and health characteristics by sex were verified using the chi-squared test. Complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed to verify factors related to MetS. Results: The sociodemographic characteristics associated with MetS in men and women aged 50-64 years, included living without a spouse, having a middle school education or less, and reporting a low economic status. The health characteristics associated with MetS in men aged 50-64 years were current smoking status and strength training <2 times/week. The sociodemographic characteristic associated with MetS in women aged 65-79 years was living without a spouse. Hypertriglyceridemia was the risk factor most associated with MetS prevalence. Conclusions: Among men and women aged 50-64 years, living without a spouse, having a low education level, and reporting a low economic status were associated with MetS prevalence. Current smoking status and strength training <2 times/week for men and living without a spouse for women aged 65-79 years were associated with MetS.

Prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome and its components in elderly Korean adults

PURPOSE

This study examined the determinants of the prevalence of factors related to five components of metabolic syndrome in the elderly.

METHODS

The study used raw data (2010-2012) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-V. The 3971 study subjects were community-dwelling elderly adults aged over 65years. The criteria for the metabolic syndrome were based on those of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the waist circumference cutoff points for these factors were adapted from the standard suggested by the Korea Society for the Study of Obesity in 2005.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean elderly adults was 43.6% (35.3% in men and 50.2% in women). Metabolic syndrome was 2.32 times more prevalent in women relative to men (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.85-2.90, p<0.001), 1.26 times more prevalent in urban, relative to rural, residents (95% CI: 1.09-1.45, p=0.002), 1.43 times more prevalent in ex-smokers (95% CI: 1.14-1.80, p=0.002) and 1.45 times more prevalent in smokers (95% CI: 1.11-1.54, p=0.007) relative to nonsmokers, and 1.16 times more prevalent in sedentary, relative to active, subjects (95% CI: 1.02-1.32, p=0.028).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in elderly Korean adults was high, suggesting that the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome in the elderly should be addressed via individual components.