(P24-018-23) Sociodemographic and Behavioral Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in Adults Living in Puerto Rico

Objectives: We investigated the association of sociodemographic and behavioral factors with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in adults living in Puerto Rico (PR).

Methods: We obtained cross-sectional data from 1,126 adults (30-75 y) in the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. At baseline, participants answered questions on sociodemographic factors and self-reported their use of alcohol, smoking, and physical activity. We measured fasting blood and clinical assessments to ascertain MetS components, defined with the IDF criteria. Multivariable-adjusted logistic models were used to estimate the odds ratio and confidence intervals (OR; 95% CI) of MetS and its components by sociodemographic and behavioral factors.

Results: In this sample, 589 (52.3%) met the criteria for MetS, and 88.2% had elevated waist circumference (WC), 45.4% low HDL-c, 44.0% high blood pressure (BP), 37.6% high blood glucose (BG), and 21.4% high triglycerides (TG). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, women had higher odds than men for elevated WC (3.02; 1.95, 4.67), while men had higher odds for high TG (1.87; 1.34, 2.61), high BP (1.44; 1.08, 1.92) and high BG (1.82; 1.34, 2.48). For each 5-y of age, there were higher odds of MetS (1.22; 1.16, 1.28), elevated WC (1.22; 1.10, 1.34), high TG (1.05; 1.00, 1.16), high BP (1.22; 1.16, 1.34) and high BG (1.28; 1.22, 1.34). Individuals from rural areas (vs. urban) had higher odds of elevated WC (1.96; 1.07, 3.59), and high TG (1.78; 1.26, 2.52). Lower odds of elevated WC were noted for moderately active (0.58; 0.35, 0.96) and heavily active (0.46; 0.24, 0.88) adults (vs. sedentary), while current alcohol intake (vs. never) was associated with lower odds of MetS (0.62; 0.46, 0.83), and of low HDL-c (0.46; 0.34, 0.61). Adults of other ethnicities (vs. Puerto Rican) had lower odds of MetS (0.35; 0.20, 0.60).

Conclusions: MetS is prevalent in PR, especially elevated waist circumference. Specific groups with higher odds of MetS (i.e., men, older age, and rural residents) warrant attention. Directed public health efforts to increase physical activity may benefit cardiometabolic health. Subsequent studies should clarify the role of alcohol intake and the directionality of the associations.

Funding Sources: NHLBI, NIMHD, CAPES