The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in a group of apparently healthy Saudi Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a common health problem in the Saudi population and is a known cardiovascular risk. Most of the studies that were conducted to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among Saudi population included subjects with a wide age range. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in a group of apparently healthy and relatively young group of women. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the “Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research”, King Abdulaziz University, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the year 2011. Saudi women were enrolled for this study (n=205, age range 20-45 years). All recruited subjects were free of any chronic illnesses and not on any regular medications. “National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)- Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria” were used to identify women with the metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric measures were taken and blood pressure was measured in a standardized manner. Fasting blood samples were taken for various biochemical tests. Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the study group was 7.8%, and the most common component was central obesity (46.3%). Reduced high density lipoprotein was the second most common component (29%). At least one component was present in 59% of the studied women. Conclusion and recommendation: The presence of the metabolic syndrome (8%) along with the high prevalence of central obesity in this young healthy group of women is quite alarming. Timely measures to reduce obesity in this group may reduce the incidence of future cardiometabolic disorders.