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. 2025 Jul 10;17(14):2282.
doi: 10.3390/nu17142282.

Relative Excess Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Due to Interaction Between Handgrip Strength and Dietary Patterns Among Korean Youth

Seong Woong Yoon  1 , Hunju Lee  2 , Hyowon Choi  2 , Yunkoo Kang  3
Affiliations

Relative Excess Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Due to Interaction Between Handgrip Strength and Dietary Patterns Among Korean Youth

Seong Woong Yoon et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescence increases chronic disease risk in adulthood. No study has explored the combined effects of skeletal muscle strength and dietary patterns in MetS. This study aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of dietary patterns and HGS on MetS and its components in Korean adolescents. Methods: Using the 2014-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, a weighted sample of approximately 3.75 million adolescents was included. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. Relative handgrip strength (HGS) was calculated. Multivariable logistic regression and relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) were used to assess dietary patterns, HGS, and MetS, stratified by sex and adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, economic status, residential area, and physical activity. Results: Low HGS was independently associated with a high odds of developing MetS in both men (OR, 1.108; 95% CI, 1.038-1.182) and women (OR, 1.128; 95% CI, 1.047-1.216). In contrast, dietary pattern alone was not significantly associated with MetS. Men with both low HGS and unhealthy dietary patterns (processed fat or Western diet) had higher odds of developing MetS, even though the interaction was sub-additive, as indicated by negative RERI values (processed fat: -0.22; Western diet: -0.11). Conclusions: Low HGS was a significant risk factor for MetS in Korean adolescents. Although no synergistic interaction was observed, low HGS remained a significant independent risk factor for MetS, underscoring the need to promote muscular strength in adolescents even in the absence of an unhealthy diet.

Keywords: adolescent; feeding behavior; metabolic syndrome; muscle strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowcharts. KNAHENS, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; MetS, Metabolic syndrome; HGS, Handgrip strength.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Annual trends in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its component conditions. HDL-C, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG Triglyceride.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Principal Component Analysis of Dietary Patterns Based on Food-Group Intakes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sex-specific interaction effects of dietary pattern and handgrip strength on metabolic syndrome and its components. HGS, handgrip strength; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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