Extent and Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Rural Adults of Varanasi, India

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a precursor of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Due to changing lifestyle in rural areas, there is likely to be upsurge in NCDs with its potential threat in rural areas. Objective: To assess prevalence and predictors of MetS in rural adults. Methods: This study included 240 rural adults (30-59 years) by adopting cross-sectional study design; a multistage sampling procedure was used for selection of subjects. Socioeconomic profile, energy intake and expenditure assessment, blood pressure, anthropometric measurement, biochemical parameters, and body fat analysis were done through a standard procedure. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were applied for inferential purpose. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 30.4%. The significant predictors of MetS were age, gender, family history of disease(s), highest education in the family, waist circumference, and addiction. The adjusted odds ratio for MetS for subjects characterized as high risk on the basis of waste circumference was 11.11 (95% CI: 4.25-29.07). Conclusion: Three out of 10 subjects had MetS. The predictors of MetS emphasize focusing on waist circumference for monitoring of MetS and life style modification for its risk reduction.