The Metabolic Syndrome

Comparison of metabolic syndrome and related factors in married pre-menopausal white- and blue-collar woman

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal married women with white-collar and blue-collar jobs. This study analyzed 4,447 women with jobs in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2018). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among blue-collar women (15.3%) than among white-collar women (10.5%). Age, family type, alcohol consumption, frequency of high-risk drinking, perceived health status, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in the white-collar (p < .05). Age, family type, frequency of eating out, and BMI were associated in the blue-collar (p < .05). Blue-collar women were more vulnerable to metabolic syndrome than white-collar ones. To prevent metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal married women with jobs, lifestyle modifications such as mitigating obesity and reducing alcohol consumption with aging are necessary.

Glycemic index, but not glycemic load, is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome: Meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Diets with high glycemic index (GI) or high glycemic load (GL) have been linked to important risk factors associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), such as dyslipidemia, higher blood glucose, and insulin concentrations. However, the role of GI and GL in relation to Mets is still understudied and controversial. This review, therefore, assessed whether high GI or GL contribute to development of Mets.

METHODS

A systematic search of four bibliographic databases was conducted (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and Scopus) from inception to January 2020 for observational studies assessing GI/GL in relation to MetS. Risk estimates were pooled using random-effect models for the highest versus lowest intake categories, and assessed for heterogeneity using subgroup analysis. The dose-response nature of the relationship was also investigated. Sensitivity analysis and Egger test were used to check the robustness of findings and the possibility of publication bias, respectively.

RESULTS

Data from 12 publications (one cohort study and eleven cross-sectional studies) with a total sample size of 36,295 subjects are included. The pooled effect sizes from the nine studies indicated high versus low dietary GI was associated with increased risk of MetS (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.09) (I²  = 58.1, P = .004). This finding was supported by all subgroup analyses except where studies used 24-h recalls for dietary assessment. Additionally, a linear dose-response investigation revealed that each 5-point increment in GI was associated with 2% increase in the risk of MetS (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.02); non-linear pattern was insignificant, however (p-nonlinearity = 0.63). Moreover, pooled effect sizes from ten studies suggested that no association was found between the GL and MetS with results remaining consistent in all subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSION

A diet with lower GI may protect against MetS. Nutrition policy and clinical practices should encourage a diet with low GI. Future studies should include both GI and GL and different criteria of MetS to provide a better comparison.

Is Midlife Metabolic Syndrome Associated With Cognitive Function Change? The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

CONTEXT

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects cognitive function in late life, particularly in women. But longitudinal research is scarce on associations of MetS with cognitive function during midlife.

OBJECTIVE

To determine associations between MetS exposure and cognitive function trajectories in midlife women.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This is a 17-year prospective, longitudinal study of multiracial/ethnic women in 7 US communities, with annual/biennial assessments.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 2149 US women traversing menopause.

EXPOSURE

Exposure consisted of MetS assessments (median 4 assessments over 4 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measures were assessments of cognitive function in 3 domains: perceptual speed (symbol digit modalities test, SDMT), episodic memory (East Boston Memory Test, EBMT), and working memory (Digit Span Backward Test, DSB).

RESULTS

By their first cognitive assessment (age 50.7 ± 2.9 years), 29.5% met the criteria for MetS. Women completed a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 6 (IQR 4-7) follow-up cognitive assessments over 11.2 (IQR 9.2-11.5) years. Women with MetS, compared with those without, had a larger 10-year decline in SDMT z-score (estimate -0.087, 95% confidence interval, -0.150 to -0.024; P = 0.007), after adjustment for cognitive testing practice effects, sociodemographics, lifestyle, mood, and menopause factors. As such, MetS accelerated the 10-year loss of perceptual speed by 24%. MetS did not differentially affect the rate of decline in either immediate (P = 0.534) or delayed (P = 0.740) episodic memory or in working memory (P = 0.584).

CONCLUSIONS

In midlife women MetS exposure was associated with accelerated decline in perceptual speed, but not episodic or working memory.