Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its individual components in brazilian college students

Aims and objectives To identify the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its individual components in a population of college students at a public higher education institution in Fortaleza, Brazil. Background Scientific evidence has demonstrated the ascent of the metabolic syndrome in the young population. Design Cross-sectional study of 702 Brazilian college students between JanuaryJuly 2011. Methods Socio-demographic indicators, life habits and the components of the metabolic syndrome were assessed. anova statistical tests were used to associate gender with the metabolic syndrome components, and the chi-square test to associate the number of metabolic syndrome components with gender and body mass index. Results High fasting venous glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were found in 12 center dot 3, 23 center dot 0, 9 center dot 7 and 5 center dot 9% of the sample, respectively. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome amounted to 1 center dot 7%. Nevertheless, 30 center dot 4% of students manifested at least one and 12 center dot 4% at least two individual components. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was higher in men (58 center dot 3%) and in people who were overweight (33 center dot 3%) and obese (41 center dot 7%). It is important to implement public health policies to reduce college students' vulnerability to the metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Most college students who displayed 3 metabolic syndrome components were men and already indicated being overweight and/or obesity. Relevance to clinical practice It is important that nurses assess the frequency of metabolic syndrome in college students as a predictor of cardiovascular health.