The Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Related Factors among the Community-Dwelling Indigenous Population in Taiwan

Yu-Chung Tsao, Wen-Cheng Li, Wei-Chung Yeh, Steve Wen-Neng Ueng, Sherry Yueh-Hsia Chiu and Jau-Yuan Chen
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Yu-Chung Tsao: Department of Occupational Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City 33305, Taiwan
Wen-Cheng Li: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
Wei-Chung Yeh: Department of Family Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City 33305, Taiwan
Steve Wen-Neng Ueng: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
Sherry Yueh-Hsia Chiu: Department of Health Care Management, College of Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
Jau-Yuan Chen: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: The aim of this study was to conduct a community-based study with a view to construct a detailed analysis about metabolic syndrome and the related risk factors of the indigenous population. This was an observational, population-based and cross-sectional study that was conducted in remote villages of an indigenous community in northern Taiwan between 2010 and 2013. A total of 586 participants, 275 men and 311 women, were eligible for analysis. The participants underwent a questionnaire survey that included demographic and health behavior issues. An anthropometric assessment and measurements of blood pressure were carried out including serum biochemical variables. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by following the criteria provided by the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. The standardized prevalence rates of substance use (cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and betel nut chewing) were significantly higher than the general population regardless of whether it was northern, central or southern Taiwan and this was especially the case with betel nut chewing in women. The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome was 42.9% in the indigenous population with 41.3% in men and 44.4% in women, which was higher than for urban Taiwanese. In the multiple logistic regression models, we found that the significant associated factors for metabolic syndrome were older age, lower education level, high levels of uric acid, alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and creatinine. A higher prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome and substance use were observed in the indigenous population compared with urban Taiwanese, especially in women.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome; substance usage indigenous people; rural health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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