The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome risk factors in college-aged students.

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a constellation of metabolic risk factors that consist of the following: atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose associated with insulin resistance, prothrombotic state, and proinflammatory state. The objective of the study was to quantify the prevalence of MetS among college students and to determine whether fatness (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference) or physical activity was more strongly associated with individual components of the MetS.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States.

SUBJECTS: Authors collected health history information and performed assessments of individual MetS components for 207 college students aged 18 to 24 years.

MEASURES: Physical activity levels were self-reported, while direct measurements were obtained for MetS components (waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose).

ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was found to be 6.8% according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The authors also found that 42.5% and 13.0% of our sample had one and two MetS components, respectively. Waist circumference was independently associated (p < .05) with HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence for the presence of MetS on college campuses. It also appears, in part, that central adiposity contributes to the high incidence of individual MetS components. Given the elevated lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease and lower survival for those with risk factors in young adulthood, there appears to be a need for primary prevention programs within university and college settings.