Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Normal Weight Adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

In the last few decades, the global disease epidemiology shift has resulted in the preponderance of noncommunicable diseases such as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Globally, an increasing prevalence is reported among children and adolescents in whom the condition was once rare. There is a dearth of data in Nigeria on MetS, especially among normal-weight adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of MetS among normal-weight adolescents attending secondary schools at Mushin Local Government, Lagos.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited adolescents using a multi-stage sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, medical, family and dietary history. Waist circumference (WC), was measured from the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the iliac crest to determine central obesity, Body mass index was calculated as weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters2), and the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts were used to determine their BMI percentiles. An appropriately sized bladder cuff of a sphygmomanometer was used in obtaining the blood pressure.

RESULTS

A total of 259 normal-weight adolescents were recruited. The mean ± SD of participants was 13.6 ± 2.3 years. The prevalence of MetS among participants was 2.7%. The most common cardiometabolic risk factors were central obesity and elevated blood pressure in 7.7% and 7.3% of participants. Physical activity was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of MetS. A family history of hypertension and diabetes in first-degree relatives was significantly associated with MetS.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic syndrome was documented among apparently healthy normal-weight adolescent. A family history of hypertension or diabetes and physical inactivity were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in study participants.

The Association between Body Weight Misperception and Psychosocial Factors in Korean Adult Women Less than 65 Years Old with Normal Weight

With society's increasing interest in weight control and body weight, we investigated the association between psychological factors and body image misperception in different age groups of adult Korean women with a normal weight. On a total of 4,600 women from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2009, a self-report questionnaire was used to assess body weight perception and 3 psychological factors: self-rated health status, stress recognition, and depressed mood. Through logistic regression analysis, a poor self-rated health status (P = 0.001) and a higher recognition of stress (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with body image misperception and this significance remained after controlling for several sociodemographic (Model 1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-2.00), health behavior and psychological factors (Model 2: aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.29-1.96; Model 3: aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.84). Especially, highly stressed middle-aged (50-64 yr) women were more likely to have body image misperception (Model 2: aOR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.30-6.26). However, the correlation between depressed mood and self-reported body weight was inconsistent between different age groups. In conclusion, self-rated health status and a high recognition rate of severe stress were related to body weight misperception which could suggest tailored intervention to adult women especially women in younger age or low self-rated health status or a high recognition rate of severe stress.