Prevalences of metabolic syndrome and its sex-specific association with socioeconomic status in rural China: a cross-sectional study

Xuhua Ying,Yue Chen,Shuyue Yang,Chaowei Fu,Na Wang,Meifang Su,Qingwu Jiang,Songtao Li

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12074-z

Xuhua Ying, Yue Chen + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12074-z

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Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have reported the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and examined relationships between socioeconomic status and MS in rural China. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MS and MS components as well as their associations with socioeconomic status among rural Chinese adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 26,836 participants aged 20 years and older was conducted from June to December 2012 in Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, China, which is located on Yuhuan Island. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for MS and their possible interactions.ResultsAmong 26,836 subjects with an average age of 53.4 ± 14.0 years, 59% were female. The overall prevalence of MS was 20.5%, and there was a significant sex difference in the prevalence (15.1% for males vs. 24.2% for females, P < 0.001). Compared with males, females also showed a significantly higher proportion of most MS components. A significantly higher prevalence of MS was found among subjects who were elderly, had a lower income level, had a lower level of education, or were unemployed. Multiple significant interactions were observed between the prevalence of MS and sex, age or socioeconomic status (P < 0.001). The risk of MS increased significantly with age in females but not in males. Additionally, a lower income level and a lower level of education were significantly related to an increased risk only in females, and unemployed males had a higher risk of MS than unemployed females.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS and its components was relatively high in a rural island Chinese population with rapid urbanization, and sex-specific associations between socioeconomic factors and MS were found. Targeted preventive interventions should be developed and implemented to prevent and control MS among those with low socioeconomic status, especially females.

Highlights

Few studies have reported the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and examined relationships between socioeconomic status and MS in rural China
Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were significantly higher in males than in females
In this study, we found a high prevalence of MS of 20.1% among 26,836 participants in Yuhuan County, a coastal area located in developed East China, which was similar to previous studies ranging from 22.0 to 25.3%, and a higher prevalence for females was observed, which was consistent with previous studies [15, 32, 33]

Summary

Introduction

Few studies have reported the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and examined relationships between socioeconomic status and MS in rural China. Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of mortality and an increasing socioeconomic burden globally [1,2,3]. It was exacerbated by rapid economic growth, aging population, and lifestyle changes [4]. There were few studies about the status of MS and its possible influencing factors among island residents in rural China [16, 17]. Yuhuan County, located on Yuhuan Island, is one of the most developed areas in China and is experiencing rapid urbanization among rural residents; there is a relatively high prevalence of several chronic diseases due to high-salt and high-fat diets [18, 19]

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