Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome Among Whites, African Americans and Hispanics

• Main Author: Paydar, Mehrnaz
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2016
• Subjects: African American Studies; Black studies; Hispanic American studies; Medicine; Nutrition
• ISBN: 9780355077537; 0355077531

According to the American Heart Association, the diagnosis for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults requires that three or more of the following criteria be present: abdominal obesity, high blood triglyceride level, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose levels, in addition to low HDL-cholesterol level. The purpose of the study was to investigate risk factors for metabolic syndrome among Whites, African-Americans and Hispanics utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012. The following risk factors were investigated: socio-demographic factors, socio-economic status, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intakes, lipid profile values, blood pressure levels, blood glucose, and glycohemoglobin levels. The data were analyzed using SUDAAN (Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina). Statistical procedures used included chi square and t tests, as well as multiple logistic regression. In this study it was found that Whites had the highest prevalence of MetS, followed by Hispanics, and African Americans. Moreover, men were slightly more likely to have MetS than women. Dietary intakes of total sugars and beta carotene were significantly lower, and intakes of total fat, total saturated fat, total monosaturated fat and sodium significantly higher in African-Americans with MetS. Whites with MetS had significantly higher mean dietary intakes of energy, total fat, total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, lycopene, selenium and sodium. Mean vitamin A and beta-carotene intakes were significantly lower in the Hispanic subjects with MetS. African-Americans with MetS had significantly lower mean numbers of minutes of vigorous-intensity work in a typical day, and minutes of moderate recreational activities in a typical day. Hispanics with MetS had significantly lower days of vigorous recreational activities in a typical week, minutes of vigorous recreational activities in a typical day, and minutes of moderate recreational activities in a typical day. Significant relationships of walking or bicycling and participation in vigorous recreational activities to MetS were found in African-Americans. However, no significant relationships of physical activity variables to MetS were found in Whites and Hispanics. A significantly higher mean number of hours of computer use in the past 30 days was found in Whites with MetS. Recommendations for further study included a greater focus on dietary intakes, and factors associated with the lower prevalence of MetS in subjects aged 70 years or more.