Pages: (128-139 )
Abstract
Background: The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components is increasing globally in all age groups. This study assessed insulin resistance and the components of metabolic syndrome among undergraduates of a Nigerian private University.
Materials and Methods: Eighty undergraduates comprising of 38 males and 42 females, aged between 17-23 years were recruited for this study. Employing the National-Cholesterol-Education-Program—Third-Adult-Treatment- Panel (NCEP-ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) cut-off points for waist circumference (WC), the subjects were stratified into obese and non-obese groups. Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure (BP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and insulin were determined by standard methods. Insulin resistance was calculated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment.
Results: The most and least prevalent component of MetS observed were elevated blood pressure and elevated FPG respectively. By NCEP-ATPIII definition, 20% of obese subjects had 3 MetS components, however, by IDF definition, 22.4% of obese subjects had 4 MetS components. Among the non-obese subjects, 7.5% and 9.7% had 3 MetS components by NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions respectively. Insulin resistance had significant positive correlation with WC, body mass index, systolic BP and diastolic BP.
Conclusion: Screening for metabolic risk factors is crucial in both obese and non-obese young adults as early detection can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
Keywords: Insulin Resistance, Metabolic syndrome, Components, Undergraduates, University,