Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical conditions that poses a major health burden worldwide. In the present study, we investigate the changes in the prevalence of MetS and its components among the Roma in two disadvantaged counties in Northeastern Hungary focusing on a seven-year-long period. The database of the present study is based on cross-sectional surveys of the Hungarian Roma population (aged 20–64 years) conducted in 2011 (n = 458) and 2018 (n = 374). The increase in the prevalence of MetS itself in the whole Roma population was not found to be significant in the period examined (although it increased from 40.0% up to 46.0%, p = 0.080); however, regarding its components, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of central obesity (from 62.7% to 73.3%, p = 0.001) and raised blood pressure (BP) or treated hypertension (from 45.2% to 54.5%, p = 0.007). These changes were mainly observed in the younger age groups, so the risk for MetS increased significantly in the 20–34 (OR = 1.10, p = 0.038) and 35–49 (OR = 1.07, p = 0.048) year age groups in the 2018 study population compared the 2011 one. The increasing prevalence of hidden hypertension and, consequently, untreated individuals with raised BP (from 29.6% to 43.5%, p = 0.014) among females is quite alarming; therefore, a targeted public health strategy and targeted interventions are desperately needed to prevent further worsening of the current situation.
Highlights
The Roma population is the largest ethnic minority in Europe and one of the most vulnerable ones; this is why they have been a target of ethnicitybased studies over the past decades
The aims of our present study are: (1) to examine how the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components changed among the Northeast Hungarian Roma population between 2011 and 2018; (2) to identify the Metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and the sex and age groups most affected by the changes; (3) to examine how the proportion of medication related to MetS has changed; and (4) to suggest targeted preventive interventions based on our results
A significant decrease was detected in the average FG levels (5.5 mmol/L in 2011 vs. 5.1 mmol/L in 2018, p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure from 2011 to 2018 in the sample populations, while a significant increase was found for average high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure
Summary
The Roma population is the largest ethnic minority in Europe (about 10–12 million) and one of the most vulnerable ones; this is why they have been a target of ethnicitybased studies over the past decades. (regardless of the country where they live), the Roma population can be considered disadvantaged in many aspects of life. The Roma population’s socioeconomic status is generally low [4]; they suffer from and are challenged by unhealthy lifestyles [5,6,7], low education, and high unemployment rates [8]. Their access to the healthcare system is often very limited [9,10]
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