Association between handgrip strength and metabolic syndrome in relation to gender and adiposity among middle aged and older Saudi populations

Aim This cross-sectional study investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and handgrip strength (HGS) with respect to sex and adiposity in Saudi men (n = 287) and women (n = 268). Material and methods Anthropometry, body composition, HGS, and blood biochemistry were measured. The average age of the study population was 57.65 +/- 9.3 years (men = 55.1 +/- 9.3 years, women = 60.4 +/- 9.3 years). We report that HGS/body mass index (BMI), HGS/weight, and HGS/fat (%) were significantly higher in controls than in patients with MetS in men but not in women. According to the ROC analysis, relative HGS (RHGS) was higher than HGS alone in the association with MetS, which was significant for men (p < 0.01). At lower quartiles of HGS, the probability of MetS was higher in women, and the same was found in men in the lower quartiles of HGS/%Fat. Multinomial regression revealed significant associations between age and adiposity and MetS in men and HGS in women. Additionally, the linear regression of age, HGS, and weight exhibited significant associations between HGS with WC in both sexes. Conclusion A higher risk of MetS in the lower quartiles of HGS was found in women, and adiposity moderated the relationship between HGS and MetS in men.