Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among students at the University of Dar-es-salaam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Metabolic syndrome describes a clustering of factors including dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and hypertension with central obesity. The metabolic syndrome has a marked impact on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes worldwide. The exact mechanism of the complex pathways of the metabolic syndrome is not yet fully known. Most patients are found to be elderly, obese, and sedentary and also have a degree of insulin resistance. The most important observable factors are overweight, genetics, and increase in age and low physical activities. The estimated global prevalence of metabolic syndrome for adults above 20 years is 16%. In Sub Saharan African countries, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome by using ATP III criteria was found to be zero in rural area for both men and women and to very low prevalence in urban areas at 0.2% and 0.5% in women and men respectively. However, by using WHO & IDF criteria the prevalence was higher in urban areas at up to 5.9% women and 7.3% men respectively. Though there is no single treatment plan for the syndrome, the first line therapy has been to reduce the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The key to prevent the syndrome however remain diet and physical activities. Broad objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome among students aged 18years and above at the University of Dar-es-Salaam, Mlimani campus. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional design that was conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam Mlimani campus. A sample of 420 adults (277 male & 143 female) were recruited. Participants were interviewed on their personal medical history. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurement were taken by using standardized methods. Blood vii samples were collected in a fasting state to measure triglyceride, FBG and HDL-C. For this study, the WHO criteria was used to describe the metabolic syndrome. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the population of University students was 0.2% using WHO criteria. However it was slightly higher using IDF criteria 1.1% and 0.9% by ATP criteria. Conclusions: The study reveals low prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in the young generation population. This provides opportunity for preventive strategies, reinforcing the good practices and learning the advantages of maintaining them in order to lower the clustering of potential risks for cardiovascular diseases. Recommendation: Positively reinforce and educate benefits of reducing the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in this population.