Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence in College Students With and Without a Disability

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To characterize the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its criteria in students with and without a disability. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected between 2008–20 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS), a comprehensive, ongoing study at a northeastern public university. The five individual criteria of MetS were evaluated after an overnight fast: triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), glucose (FPG) via fingerstick; waist circumference (WC) at the iliac crest; and blood pressure (BP) via automated cuff. Disability status was self-reported via an online questionnaire by an affirmative response to one of two items related to limited participation or use of specialized equipment. Chi-square analyses were used to identify differences in the prevalence of MetS and its criteria among students with and without a disability. Logistic regression was used to predict odds of MetS; age, BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, gender, smoking status, race, and disability status served as covariates. Results The sample (n = 6144) was 69% female, 94% white, and 18.9 ± 1.15 years old; 11.8% of students reported having a disability. Over half (55.3%) of students met at least one criterion of MetS, 18% had two or more, and 4.2% had ≥3 criteria of MetS. MetS was higher among students with a disability compared to those without (6.2% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.003). WC, HDL, and FPG metabolic syndrome criteria presented modestly higher in the disabled population compared to their non-disabled counterparts: WC (14.4% vs. 11.6%, P = 0.023), HDL (28.9% vs. 25%, P = 0.017), and FPG (6.3% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.042). Logistic regression indicates similar odds of MetS for students with a disability after inclusion of covariates (OR: 1.05 CI: 0.7–1.7, P = 0.83), compared to students without a disability. Conclusions College students with disabilities may have a greater risk for metabolic syndrome compared to students without a disability due to other confounding lifestyle factors. Results may inform organizations on campus to better direct targeted health promotion campaigns and inspire further research on the health status of students with a disability. Funding Sources The New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project.