Metabolic syndrome among students of BPSGMC for Women Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat

ABSTRACT

Background: A quarter of the world’s adult population has Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and this condition is appearing with increasing frequency in children and adolescents due to the growing obesity epidemic within this young population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the apparently healthy female medical students in BPSGMC for Women Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat and to find the risk factors associated with these conditions among the study subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in rural BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat from April 2018 to September 2018 for a period of six months. The study population included all the undergraduate medical students of 2016 and 2017 batches. Semi-structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters and biochemical markers using standardized methods. MetS was defined as per National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) criteria modified in 2004. Statistical analysis was carried out with R v 3.5.1 Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.8%. It was 7.7% in 17-19 years age group and 11.2% in 20-23 years age group. All the study subjects with MetS had abdominal obesity. MetS was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dl, serum triglyceride ≥150 mg/dl and serum HDL cholesterol level <50 mg/dl. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome exists in significant number among apparently healthy female medical students. Policy makers and healthcare providers can develop effective lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity for addressing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.