Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome among Bangladeshi adults: Evidence from a nation-wide survey

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature mor- tality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome among

Bangladeshi adults (aged 18−69 years) using a nationally representative survey: Stepwise Approach to Sur- veillance (STEPS).

Methods: Metabolic syndrome was defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Design based multivariable log-binomial regression was conducted to explore the associated factors. The adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) was reported along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Findings: In total, 6851 samples were included. Overall, 15.5% and 16.6% of the participants had metabolic syndrome according to ATP III and IDF criteria, respectively. According to ATP III criteria, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among those aged 30−49 years (APR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.8−3.2) and 50−69 years (APR: 3.5; 95% CI: 2.5−4.5) compared to those aged 18−29 years, being educated up to college and higher (APR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2−2.0) compared to those who did not receive any formal education, residence in the urban area (APR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0−1.4) compared to rural residents, having an abnormal waist-hip ratio (APR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.6−2.6) compared to having normal waist-hip ratio, being overweight (APR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4

−2.3), and obese (APR: 3.5; 95% CI: 2.8−4.4) compared to those who had normal BMI/underweight. Com- pared to the residents in the Dhaka Rural, residents in Mymensingh, and Rangpur division had lower odds of

having metabolic syndrome. Except for the place of residence, the associated factors were similar according to IDF criteria.

Conclusion: As approximately every one in six adults are suffering from the metabolic syndrome in Bangla- desh, the public health prevention and promotion programs should target the high-risk groups to curtail the

high burden.