Reduced risk factors of metabolic syndrome in immigrant compared to resident South Asian Indian young men

Abstract

South Asian Indians are at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) than the general USA population, and at risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that USA (immigrant) SA men develop MetS in their early adulthood to a greater extent than men living in India (resident), and this is due to a combination of dietary changes and stress. We examined 73 men (ages of 19–29 y; BMI >23 kg/m2) in the USA and in India. Because a heavier group was recruited in India than in the USA, we used ANCOVA in all analysis, to control for BMI. In contrast to our hypothesis, immigrant compared to resident Indians had lower total cholesterol (165±37 vs 183±31 mg/dl), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (95 ± 33 vs. 122 ± 27 mg/dl) and higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) (49 ±10 vs. 41±6 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). Glucose was 89±6 in immigrants and 93±7 mg/dl in resident Indians (p≤0.06). Systolic blood pressure was lower in immigrant (113±13) than resident Indians (130±11) (p < 0.001), and USA men also had a lower perceived stress score (p<0.05). This was consistent with fewer risk factors for MetS in immigrant than resident Indians (i.e., 10% vs 26% had at least 2 components of MetS). We also found that men in the USA were taller (p <0.001) and that the percent protein intake was greater in immigrant (20 ± 9%) than resident men (12 ±6%; p < 0.001), whereas the lower %fat intake (22±11% vs. 37±9%) did not differ significantly between the groups. Interestingly, men living in the USA > 10 years (vs shorter duration) had higher serum HDL levels (p <0.05), suggesting a possible effect of acculturation. Immigrant Indian young men living in the USA are at lower risk for MetS, possibly due to lower stress compared to their resident Indian counterparts.Support or Funding InformationCenter for Global Advancement and International Affairs (Rutgers GAIA)