Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Qassim University Personnel in Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Objective: to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Qassim university personnel in Saudi Arabia using the
definition proposed by NCEP ATPIII.
Methods: a cross sectional study that included all male university staff of different ages and careers. 560 individuals
participated in this study with a response rate of 85%. For all participants, the data collected were sociodemographic
characteristics, past history or receiving medication for diabetes or hypertension, smoking habits, physical activity, and
measurements necessary to identify metabolic syndrome.
Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.4%. The prevalence was found to show a steady increase with increasing
age, BMI and serum cholesterol. General obesity measured by BMI was the most common component associated with the
syndrome where 75% of participants suffered from overweight and obesity. Participants with high-density lipoprotein below
protective level constituted 73.6%, while those with total cholesterol and triglyceride above clinically normal level constituted
60.0% & 46.4% respectively. Elevated fasting plasma glucose and hypertension were the least common. After adjustment, factors found
to be associated with metabolic syndrome were being a Saudi national, smoking, not doing regular exercise, being obese,
having total serum cholesterol above 180 mg/dl, and age groups above 40 years.
Conclusion: Almost a third of the university personnel have metabolic syndrome and therefore they are at higher risk for both
cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Similar studies are required among a wider range of subjects to assess the scope of the problem in Saudi Arabia.
definition proposed by NCEP ATPIII.
Methods: a cross sectional study that included all male university staff of different ages and careers. 560 individuals
participated in this study with a response rate of 85%. For all participants, the data collected were sociodemographic
characteristics, past history or receiving medication for diabetes or hypertension, smoking habits, physical activity, and
measurements necessary to identify metabolic syndrome.
Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.4%. The prevalence was found to show a steady increase with increasing
age, BMI and serum cholesterol. General obesity measured by BMI was the most common component associated with the
syndrome where 75% of participants suffered from overweight and obesity. Participants with high-density lipoprotein below
protective level constituted 73.6%, while those with total cholesterol and triglyceride above clinically normal level constituted
60.0% & 46.4% respectively. Elevated fasting plasma glucose and hypertension were the least common. After adjustment, factors found
to be associated with metabolic syndrome were being a Saudi national, smoking, not doing regular exercise, being obese,
having total serum cholesterol above 180 mg/dl, and age groups above 40 years.
Conclusion: Almost a third of the university personnel have metabolic syndrome and therefore they are at higher risk for both
cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Similar studies are required among a wider range of subjects to assess the scope of the problem in Saudi Arabia.
Barrimah, I. E., Mohaimeed, A. R., Midhat, F., & Al-Shobili, H. A. (2010). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Qassim University Personnel in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Health Sciences, 3(2). Retrieved from https://ijhs.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/21
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