Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome, and Its Association Factors between Percentage Body Fat and Body Mass Index in Rural Thai Population Aged 35 Years and Older
Apussanee Boonyavarakul MD*, Chudchai Choosaeng**, Ouppatham Supasyndh MD***, Suthee Panichkul MD, MSc****
Affiliation : * Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital ** 4th Year Medical Cadets, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine *** Nephrology Unit, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital **** Department of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine
Objectives : To obtain the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated socioeconomic
factors, and also to evaluate the association between percentage body fat (BF) and body mass index
(BMI) in a rural Thai population.
Materials and Methods : MS defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel
III criteria. The prevalence of the MS was then determined using the NCEP III criteria with and without
the modified waist circumference criteria. BMI indicating normal weight, overweight and obesity
as re-defined for the Asian by International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO), WHO.
Four-hundred and four rural Thai men and women aged 35 years and older were evaluated. Data
on anthropometry, blood pressure, socioeconomic status, lifestyle-related information, blood studies,
and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) values had been collected.
Results : The prevalence of the MS in the rural Thai people was 18%, but increased to 23% with the
modified Asian criteria. High BMI, female gender, and older age were associated with increased odds
of the MS. Household income, dietary composition, smoking and drinking status were not associated
with increased odds of the MS. There was significant association between percent BF and BMI in men
and women in rural Thai population.
Conclusion : The MS was present in about 18% of the rural Thai population and was significantly
influenced by body mass index, gender and age. Metabolic syndrome becomes an important problem in
rural Thai populations who even live basic lifestyle in the non-urbanized and non-industrialized areas.
Identification and clinical management of this high-risk group is an important strategy for coronary heart
disease prevention.
Keywords : Metabolic syndrome, Body mass index, Percentage body fat, Bioelectrical impedance analysis
