The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Association With Waist Circumference in Middle-Aged Individuals From Urban Mumbai

Abstract

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a critical public health challenge globally, characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. In India, the prevalence of MetS, particularly in urban areas, is rising rapidly. This study investigates the prevalence of MetS and its association with waist circumference in middle-aged individuals from urban Mumbai. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,851 participants (814 men and 1,037 women, with a mean age of 56.8 years) in a public health camp in urban Mumbai. Data were collected on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and blood markers, including fasting glucose and lipid profiles. MetS was diagnosed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. This included the presence of three or more of the following five criteria: waist circumference of ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women, fasting triglycerides of ≥150 mg/dL, fasting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol of <40 mg/dL for men and <50 mg/dL for women, blood pressure of ≥130/85 mm Hg, and fasting glucose of ≥100 mg/dL. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 23 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the cohort was 32.6% (605 out of 1,851 participants), with women exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence at 38% (394 out of 1,037 women) compared to men at 26% (211 out of 814 men) (p<0.001). High waist circumference (≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women) was strongly correlated with MetS, as 73.8% of individuals (314 out of 425 participants) in the high waist circumference group met the criteria for MetS, compared to 20.4% of individuals (291 out of 1,426 participants) in the non-high waist circumference group (<102 cm for men and <88 cm for women) (p<0.001). Furthermore, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose, and elevated fasting triglycerides were significantly more common in the high waist circumference group, than in the non-high waist circumference group (p<0.001). Conclusion The study highlights the significant association between central obesity and MetS in an urban Indian population, with notably higher prevalence in women. Waist circumference is a critical determinant of MetS and should routinely be measured, with significant application especially in resource-limited settings for early detection and intervention.

Keywords: elevated blood pressure; metabolic disease; metabolic syndrome (mets); ncep atp iii criteria; obesity and diabetes; waist circumference.

Figure 1. Gender distribution of MetS

Men comprised 44% or 814 participants within the cohort (1,851 individuals). Women comprised 56% or 1,037 participants within the cohort (1,851 individuals) MetS: metabolic syndrome

Figure 2. Mean age of the study participants

Figure 3. Prevalence of MetS among the study participants

Overall prevalence of MetS, 32.6% or 605 (of 1,851) participants; prevalence of MetS in men, 26% or 211 (of 814) participants; and prevalence of MetS in women, 38% or 394 (of 1,037) participants MetS: metabolic syndrome

Figure 4. Prevalence of MetS based on waist circumference

High waist circumference (≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women): prevalence of MetS in the high waist circumference group, 73.8% or 314 (of 425) participants; prevalence of MetS among men within the high waist circumference group, 66.1% or 121 (of 183) participants; and prevalence of MetS among women within the high waist circumference group, 79.7% or 193 (of 242) participants Non-high waist circumference (<102 cm for men and <88 cm for women): prevalence of MetS in the non-high waist circumference group, 20.4% or 291 (of 1,426) participants; prevalence of MetS among men within the non-high waist circumference group, 14.2% or 90 (of 631) participants; and prevalence of MetS among women within the non-high waist circumference group, 25.3% or 201 (of 795) participants MetS: metabolic syndrome

Figure 5. Prevalence of MetS among the study particpants based on waist circumference

High waist circumference (≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women) and non-high waist circumference (<102 cm for men and <88 cm for women) Blood pressure (BP) (≥130/85 mm Hg): prevalence of elevated BP within the high waist circumference group, 60% or 255 (of 425) participants; prevalence of elevated BP within the non-high waist circumference group, 25% or 356 (of 1,426) participants Elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL): prevalence of elevated fasting glucose within the high waist circumference group, 55% or 234 (of 425) participants; prevalence of elevated fasting glucose within the non-high waist circumference group, 18% or 257 (of 1,426) participants Dyslipidemia: elevated fasting triglycerides (TG) (≥150 mg/dL): prevalence of elevated fasting TG within the high waist circumference group, 50% or 212 (of 425) participants; prevalence of elevated fasting TG within the non-high waist circumference group, 20% or 285 (of 1,426) participants MetS: metabolic syndrome