CENTRAL ADIPOSITY, HIGH SERUM TRIGLYCERIDES AND LOW SERUM HDL ARE PREDOMINANT COMPONENTS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG MALE STUDENTS OF JAZAN UNIVERSITY
Ahmed Jerah
College of Applied Medical Sciences Jazan University, Jazan, KSA
Prevalence of various components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was determined among male college students of Jazan University. 253 students were randomly chosen for the study. In each case waist circumference, systolic and diastolic BP, fasting blood sugar (FBG), serum triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the criteria given by NCEP ATPIII. Overall MetS prevalence determined in the study was 16%. Central adiposity (as indicated by waist circumference), high triglyceride and low HDL were the most common components of MetS. Central adiposity (waist circumference > 102 cm) was observed in 21% participants while high triglyceride (> 150 mg/dL) in 29% and low HDL (< 40 mg/dL) in 31%. High fasting plasma glucose and high BP were the least commonly observed components. Increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease is associated with MetS and hence young students need to be aware of these consequences. Prevalence of MetS in the young population is on the rise in various parts of the world. Diet and sedentary life style appear to be the root cause of this abnormality. Similar but large scale studies using a larger and more general Saudi population sample may assess the magnitude and significance of the problem in the Kingdom.
December 2017