Search

Background: Several cross-sectional studies have reported risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, these studies did not focus on sex differences in middle-aged and senior populations or employ a longitudinal design. These study design differences are important, as there are sex differences in lifestyle habits associated with MetS, and middle-aged and senior individuals have increased MetS susceptibility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether sex differences influenced MetS risk over a ten-year follow-up period among middle-aged and senior hospital employees., Methods: This population-based and prospective cohort study enrolled 565 participants who did not have MetS in 2012 for a ten-year repeated-measurement analysis. Data were retrieved from the hospital's Health Management Information System. Analyses included Student's t tests, χ 2 tests and Cox regression. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance., Results: Male middle-aged and senior hospital employees had an elevated MetS risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.936, p < 0.001). Men with more than four family history risk factors had an increased risk of MetS (HR = 1.969, p = 0.010). Women who worked shift duty (HR = 1.326, p = 0.020), had more than two chronic diseases (HR = 1.513, p = 0.012), had three family history risk factors (HR = 1.623, p = 0.010), or chewed betel nuts (HR = 9.710, p = 0.002) had an increased risk of MetS., Conclusions: The longitudinal design of our study improves the understanding of sex differences in MetS risk factors in middle-aged and senior adults. A significantly elevated risk of MetS over the ten-year follow-up period was associated with male sex, shift work, the number of chronic diseases, the number of family history risk factors, and betel nut chewing. Women who chewed betel nuts had an especially increased risk of MetS. Our study indicates that population-specific studies are important for the identification of subgroups susceptible to MetS and for the implementation of hospital-based strategies., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Several studies have reported on metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on cross-sectional designs, which cannot show a long-term result. Information is lacking on MetS and related factors based on a longitudinal cohort. This study aimed to examine the relationship between MetS and related factors for a total of six years among hospital employees. A population-based study was conducted, including 746 staff. A total of 680 staff without MetS in 2012 were enrolled in the analysis for repeated measurement of six years of the longitudinal cohort. Data were retrieved from the hospital's Health Management Information System. Analyses were performed using Student's t -test, chi-square test, logistic regression, and generalised estimating equations. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Hospital employees aged between 31 and 40 (odds ratio (OR) = 4.596, p = 0.009), aged between 41 and 50 (OR = 7.866, p = 0.001), aged greater than 50 (OR = 10.312, p < 0.001), with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0~29.9 kg/m 2 (OR = 3.934, p < 0.001), a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (OR = 13.197, p < 0.001), higher level of white blood counts (β = 0.177, p = 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (β = 0.013, p = 0.002), and uric acid (β = 0.223, p = 0.005) were at risk of being diagnosed with MetS. The identification of at-risk hospital employees and disease management programs addressing MetS-related factors are of great importance in hospital-based interventions.

Background: Authors of several studies have reported differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) between men and women. However, information is lacking on gender difference among military personnel., Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of MetS and its component abnormalities among Taiwanese Air Force personnel by gender and age groups., Methods: A population-based study was conducted including 14 872 Taiwanese Air Force personnel. Data were retrieved from the military's Health Management Information System. Analyses were performed using Student t test, χ test, and linear-by-linear χ test. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05., Results: The MetS prevalence was 14.0% (15.1% in men and 5.3% in women). Metabolic syndrome was associated with age for both men and women (both Ptrend < .001), with a greater prevalence of MetS in men aged 18 to 44 years than in women, but not in the age group of 45 years or older. In men, MetS was most prevalent in those with increased waist circumference (78.2%), followed by those with elevated blood pressure (75.6%). By contrast, in women, it was most prevalent in those with increased waist circumference (86.5%), followed by those with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (84.3%)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that military nurses and other health providers should consider the gender- and age-based MetS prevalence trend among Taiwanese Air Force personnel when designing interventions to identify vulnerable subgroups at a high risk of MetS. Health management programs should be adapted to minimize metabolic risks.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components continue to increase among patients with serious mental illness. This cross-sectional study investigated whether metabolic syndrome prevalence and risk factors differ between male and female patients with serious mental illness. In total, 260 eligible patients were recruited from two hospitals. The data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviour factors, biochemistry, and anthropometry were collected. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 40.8% (35.1% in men and 46.8% in women). Among patients aged 40-49 years, metabolic syndrome prevalence was higher in men; however, the trend was reversed among patients aged 50 years or older. Notably, gender-specific metabolic syndrome risk factors were observed. In men, they included low education level, high body mass index (BMI), prolonged illness, comorbid physical illness, and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, whereas they included being married, old age, and high BMI in women. Our findings suggest that mental health professionals should consider the gender- and age-based metabolic syndrome prevalence trend in patients with serious mental illness when designing interventions for the study population to minimize metabolic syndrome prevalence., (© 2019 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), health-related quality of life (HRQL), and depression status are independently associated with cardiac health. Therefore, understanding the associations between MetS, HRQL, and depression status and determining factors related to improved HRQL and depression status in people with MetS may help in cardiovascular disease prevention., Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether there are differences in HRQL and depression status between Taiwanese women with and without MetS and whether physical activity patterns are associated with HRQL and depression status in this population., Methods: A cross-sectional study of 326 Taiwanese middle-aged and older women (≥40 years) was conducted. Metabolic syndrome was determined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Health-related quality of life and depression status were collected using the Short Form 36 Health Survey and Beck Depression Inventory. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted., Results: Women with MetS had lower HRQL (P < .001) and higher depression status (P = .002) than those without MetS. Participants with active physical activity patterns had higher HRQL (P < .001) and lower depression status (P = .046) than those with sedentary patterns. Among women with MetS, those with active physical activity patterns had higher HRQL (P = .001) and lower depression status (P = .007) than those with sedentary patterns., Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome is related to lower HRQL and higher depression status in women 40 years and older. Active physical activity patterns are associated with better HRQL and reduced depression status in middle-aged and older women (≥40 years) with MetS.

Background: Motivational interviewing, as a counseling approach, could promote not only behavioral changes but also individuals' psychological adaptation. Previous studies provide evidence that motivational interviewing focused on increasing physical activity decreases the risk of metabolic syndrome in women. Its effects on sedentary behaviors, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) remain unknown., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 12-week motivational counseling program reduces sedentary behaviors and depressive symptoms and improves HRQL in Taiwanese women., Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted. Participants (n = 115) were randomly assigned into 3 groups: experimental group (received a brochure on lifestyle modification combined with 12 weeks of motivational counseling), comparison group (received a lifestyle modification brochure), and usual care group (UCG). Outcome variables were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks post intervention by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Medical Outcomes Short Form-36 Health Survey. Generalized estimating equations were applied to analyze the intervention effects of groups by interaction of group and time., Results: Women in the experimental group not only reduced (P < .001) weekly sitting time by 374 minutes but also decreased (P < .05) depressive symptoms, as well as had greater overall HRQL including 8 subscales as compared with the UCG. As compared with the UCG, the women in the comparison group had no change in sedentary behaviors, but they had reduced depressive symptoms and improvement on some HRQL subscales., Conclusions: Motivational counseling that incorporates behavioral change principles is effective in reducing sedentary behaviors and depressive symptoms and improving HRQL for women with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Lifestyle modification is often difficult for middle-aged and older women living in the community who are at high risk of physical inactivity and metabolic syndrome., Objectives: To examine the effects of telephone-based motivational interviewing in a 12-week lifestyle modification program on physical activity, MetS, metabolic risks (fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and central obesity), and the number of metabolic risks in community-living middle-aged and older women diagnosed with metabolic syndrome., Research Design and Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Recruited were 328 middle-aged and older women from a community health center in Taiwan. Eligible women medically diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (n=115) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: The experimental group received an individualized telephone delivered lifestyle modification program that included motivational interviewing delivered by an experienced nurse. The brief group received a single brief lifestyle modification counseling session with a brochure. The usual care group received standard care. Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and metabolic risks were determined by serum markers and anthropometric measures at pre- and post-intervention. One hundred women completed the study and an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the intervention effects., Results: Women in the experimental group increased physical activity from 1609 to 1892 MET-min/week (β=846, p=.01), reduced the percentage of diagnosed with metabolic syndrome to 81.6% (β=-0.17, p=.003), and decreased the number of metabolic risks from 4.0 to 3.6 (β=-0.50, p<.001), compared to the usual care group (4.4-4.6). There was not a reduction in the percentage of diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the brief group, but they had fewer metabolic risks after 12 weeks (mean=4.0 vs. 4.6, β=-0.2, p=.02) compared to the usual care group., Conclusions: Motivational interviewing as a component of an individualized physical activity and lifestyle modification program has positive benefit in reducing metabolic risks in middle-aged and older women., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims and Objectives: To investigate whether physical activity is a protective factor against metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women., Background: Socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors contribute to metabolic syndrome. To minimise the risk of metabolic syndrome, several global guidelines recommend increasing physical activity level. However, only limited research has investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors., Design: Cross-sectional design., Methods: A convenience sample of 326 middle-aged and older women was recruited. Metabolic syndrome was confirmed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, and physical activity levels were measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire., Results: The sample had a mean age of 60·9 years, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 43·3%. Postmenopausal women and women with low socioeconomic status (low-education background, without personal income and currently unemployed) had a significantly higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for significant socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors, the women with moderate or high physical activity levels had a significantly lower (OR = 0·10; OR = 0·11, p < 0·001) risk of metabolic syndrome and a lower risk for each specific component of metabolic syndrome, including elevated fasting plasma glucose (OR = 0·29; OR = 0·26, p = 0·009), elevated blood pressure (OR = 0·18; OR = 0·32, p = 0·029), elevated triglycerides (OR = 0·41; OR = 0·15, p = 0·001), reduced high-density lipoprotein (OR = 0·28; OR = 0·27, p = 0·004) and central obesity (OR = 0·31; OR = 0·22, p = 0·027)., Conclusions: After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors, physical activity level was a significant protective factor against metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women. Higher physical activity levels (moderate or high physical activity level) reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Appropriate strategies should be developed to encourage middle-aged and older women across different socio-demographic backgrounds to engage in moderate or high levels of physical activity to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is primarily attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle, which is a modifiable risk factor. Researchers have been exploring various strategies, including lifestyle-modification programs (LMPs), to prevent the progression of MetS. However, the effectiveness of LMPs on metabolic risks and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among adults with MetS remains inconclusive., Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of LMPs on the metabolic risks and PROs among adults with MetS., Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials published from January 1985 to June 2014 was conducted. The review extracted LMP interventions that included outcomes on the metabolic risks and PROs (quality of life and any other psychological health indicators). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria., Results: Among the five trials included, the most commonly applied intervention components were diet plans, supervised exercise, health education, individual counseling, behavioral modification, and motivational interviewing. Three fifths of the studies were nurse-led, and only one of the selected trials was theory-guided. LMPs can effectively reduce triglyceride levels, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure. However, few trials consistently confirmed the benefits of metabolic risks, and none revealed a significant effect on high-density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, or any PRO, except quality of life. The duration of LMPs in the included trials ranged from 4 to 24 weeks, and durations of at least 12 weeks significantly improved quality of life., Linking Evidence to Action: LMPs had positive effects on some metabolic risks and on quality of life, whereas longer-duration LMPs may have highly beneficial effects on quality of life. The essential elements of LMPs need to be evaluated more thoroughly to determine their effectiveness. Larger and more rigorous randomized controlled trials are required to assess the effectiveness of LMPs on metabolic risks and PROs among adults with MetS., (© 2014 Sigma Theta Tau International.)