Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are metabolic alterations associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Diet has a significant impact on the risk to develop MetS and T2D; in this regard, consumption of fruits, vegetables, and protein rich foods (from plant and animals) are important to prevent and manage these pathologies. There are limited studies regarding the potential association between Andean foods rich in proteins and the presence of cardio-metabolic conditions in Ecuador. It is necessary to develop new low-cost, local-culturally acceptable strategies to reduce the burden of cardio-metabolic diseases. We describe the prevalence (baseline data) of MetS and T2D in the Ecuadorian cohort of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study and their potential association with the consumption of protein rich foods, including beef, white meat, dairy and legumes. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 1,997 individuals aged 35–70 years (mean age 51 years, 72% women), included in the Ecuadorian cohort of the PURE study, from February to December 2018. The prevalence of MetS was 42% for male and 44% for female participants; the prevalence of T2D was 9% for male and 10% for female. Metabolic syndrome and T2D were more common in women older than 50 years of age with primary education or less, low economic income, and with obesity; MetS was more frequent in the rural area while T2D was more frequent in the urban area. Using logistic regression analysis, we observed a significant protective effect of higher consumption of dairy and legumes in the prevalence of MetS and T2D compared with low consumption. It will be important to develop policies for ample production and consumption of protein rich foods such as legumes and dairy, part of traditional diets, to reduce the burden of cardio-metabolic diseases.
Highlights
Cardiometabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and diabetes mellitus type-2 (T2D) are an increasing health problems worldwide [1, 2]
It has been estimated that the total cost for diabetes care in Latin America ranged from US $ 102 to 123 billion; and that per capita cost was between US$ 1088 and US$ 1818 by 2015 [4]
The Ecuadorian National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) reported that type 2 diabetes (T2D) was the second most frequent cause of death in 2018 accounting for 6.6% of all registered deaths [7]. These data indicate that metabolic diseases are a common public health problem that primarily affect low and middle-income countries that further diminish their opportunities for development
Summary
Cardiometabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and diabetes mellitus type-2 (T2D) are an increasing health problems worldwide [1, 2]. In Latin America, the prevalence of T2D in adult population ranges from 8% to 10% [3]. The Ecuadorian National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) reported that T2D was the second most frequent cause of death in 2018 accounting for 6.6% of all registered deaths [7]. These data indicate that metabolic diseases are a common public health problem that primarily affect low and middle-income countries that further diminish their opportunities for development
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