The Association between Dietary Fiber Intake and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-aged Adults in Gyeonggi Province

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the dietary fiber intake of middle-aged adults in Gyeonggi and to evaluate its relation with the metabolic syndrome. Methods: From April 2013 to October 2014, 279 (60 men, 210 women) middle-aged adults subject older than 30 years of age were recruited. Two-day dietary intake data were collected from each subject using the 24-hour recall method. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and blood analysis. Results: When the subjects were divided into tertile groups by dietary fiber intake per 1,000 kcal, the middle tertile group showed higher fiber intake of 118.8% above the reference intake of 12 g/1,000 kcal, and the highest tertile group showed a higher fiber intake of 165.0% above the reference intake. The group with greater dietary fiber intake showed more mineral and vitamin intake but less energy, fat, and cholesterol intake. The major food groups that contributed to the dietary fiber in the lowest and the middle tertiles were vegetables, grains, fruits, and legumes, but in the highest tertile, legumes contributed more than fruits. The risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.77), abdominal obesity (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23-0.85,) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.83) were significantly reduced in the middle tertile compared to the lowest tertile. Conclusions: The results suggest that there is a correlation between dietary fiber intake and risk factors for metabolic syndrome. It is highly expected that consuming sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables as a major source of dietary fiber can prevent and manage metabolic syndrome and chronic disease.