A study of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the middle aged women of Guntur City, A.P

Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has received lot of attention because of it’s growing association with obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among women population. Central obesity, a physical finding plays a central role in the development of the Insulin Resistance (MetS). Central obesity appears to precede the other components of MetS, which increases with age. Women in this coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh prepare and consume delicious food items, mostly of rice and have tendency to become obese in forties. High carbohydrate intake and sedentary lifestyle with low physical activity are important known causes for development of MetS in adult women along with several considerations which are unique to women are pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, and emotional stress.
Aim of the present study: The present study is undertaken among female population between the ages of 40-45 years in Guntur city and its surroundings in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India with an aim to identify the Metabolic Syndrome and to study it’s prevalence with the use of measurement of following parameters 1.Physical a) Waist Circumference, b) Blood Pressure, 2. Biochemical a) Total Triglycerides, b) High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and c) Glucose using fasting plasma sample.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in 112 women, out of which 61 were test group (obese i.e. with increased Waist circumference) and 51 were control group (non-obese i.e. normal waist circumference). Waist measurement is taken as a preliminary screening tool for differentiating test group and control group. Waist circumference was obtained at the level of the umbilicus using a plastic anthropometric tape. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were obtained with a mercury sphygmomanometer by auscultatory method. Fasting plasma sample used for measurements of Glucose, Total Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol by using VITROS Dry Technology slide and DT 60 II chemistry systems.
Results: The overall risk analysis for Metabolic Syndrome in the 61 women test group, 36 are with 3 or more risk factors who are considered of having Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). So the prevalence for metabolic syndrome among women population with increased waist circumference of 40-45years is 59.02%. But in the 51 non-obese women control group, none with 3 or more risk factors were detected.
Conclusion: In this present study It is observed that central obesity, elevated fasting plasma triglycerides and decreased HDL-cholesterol are the prevalent components in test group with Metabolic Syndrome. Current study of detection and prevalence of MetS is very useful for prevention of chronic diseases in aged women. MetS can lead to diseases like Type II Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CVD in the aged. As the detection of MetS is possible in about 15 to 20 years before development of T2DM, CVD and their consequences, it is be possible to preserve health of aged women population.