Effect of various Dietary and Lifestyle Factors on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in a Population in Northwest of Lahore

Tehreem Sajjad; Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal; Saleem Perwaiz Iqbal; Muhammad Khurram; Mureed Hussain

doi:10.54692/lgujls.2025.92422

Authors

Tehreem Sajjad Department of Life Sciences, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal Department of Life Sciences, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan, Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Saleem Perwaiz Iqbal Department of Community Medicine, Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore Pakistan
Muhammad Khurram Department of Life Sciences, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Mureed Hussain Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54692/lgujls.2025.92422

Keywords:

Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Low-HDL cholesterol, Dyslipidemia, Lifestyle factors, Dietary factors

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of various dietary and lifestyle factors on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an urban population in Lahore. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which six hundred (n = 600) apparently healthy people who were 18-70 years old were included in the study. Pregnant females and individuals suffering from chronic diseases were excluded from the study. Demographic information was obtained from them using a structured questionnaire. Their waist circumference and blood pressure values were determined using a measuring tape and sphygmomanometer, respectively. Ten ml fasting blood was obtained, and values of serum glucose, triacylglycerols and HDL-cholesterol were estimated using kit methods. The data were analyzed using various statistical tests such as independent sample t test, Chi square test and logistic regression.
The mean ± SD age of subjects was 40.83±10.64 years. Prevalence of MetS using Harmonized Criteria was found to be 77.7%, while percentages of abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low-HDL cholesterol, hyperglycemia and hypertension were 82.3%, 80.3%, 60.5%, 49.7% and 64.8%, respectively. Regarding gender, compared to men the adjusted odds of developing MetS were 5.72-fold higher in women (AOR = 5.72; 95% CI (3.13 – 10.45). Fewer consumption of tea/coffee (1-2 times per day) compared to more frequent consumption per day had a protective effect towards having MetS [AOR = 0.44; 95% CI (0.21 – 0.94)]. There is high prevalence of MetS in this population. Reduced consumption of tea/coffee and finishing meals within 10-20 min are protective against odds of having MetS.