Dietary Characteristics of Macronutrient Intake and the Status of Metabolic Syndrome among Koreans

ABSTRACT

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is heavily dependent on dietary and lifestyle practices, is prevalent in Korean adults. Because dietary practices are unique for each race, nationality, and culture, it is important to identify Korean adult dietary practices that are associated with MetS. Macronutrient intake patterns were analyzed and compared across health status using the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (8,143 adults who had dietary data and biomarkers related to MetS). Although intake levels were different by age, gender, and health status, carbohydrate intake was high and fat intake was low among Korean adults. The carbohydrate energy ratio was higher and the fat energy ratio was lower for subjects > 60 years old who were diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or MetS than those in other age groups. The main source of fat from food differed depending on the group. These results demonstrated that macronutrient intake patterns were different between age, gender, and health status subgroups. Hence, it is recommended that nutritional policy and practices aimed at controlling MetS should be based on the dietary characteristics of the target group.