[Metabolic syndrome prevalence and its association with the body mass index in university students]

Few studies exist about metabolic syndrome (MS) in young Mexican adult populations. The prevalences of overweight, obesity, and MS were evaluated in a sample of university students from Veracruz, México.

Transversal analytical study performed in 402 student of new admission, aged 20-29 years belonging to Veracruzana University. Waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and serum glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol were determined. The MS was diagnosed applying the current National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III) criteria.

Male subjects showed higher values of waist circumference, weight, stature, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.005, in all cases). The prevalence of central obesity was 9.5%; hypertriglyceridemia, 13.2; low HDL-cholesterol, 28.9%; high systolic and diastolic blood pressures, 9.2%; and hyperglucemia, 6.0%. 48% showed 1-4 NCEP-ATPIII criteria for MS. Global prevalence of MS was 3.7%. The BMI inclusion increased the MS prevalence in overweight and obese student (8.2 vs 0.8%) (x2 = 14.6; p < 0.001; odds ratio = 10.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-48.8).

The BMI inclusion improved the MS diagnostic in young adults. Because almost half of the subjects presented at least one MS factor, the need of preventive implementations in young populations and to develop longitudinal studies to ascertain the effect of MS later in life is suggested.