Association of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome among Urban Dwellers of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases and are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) predisposes to coronary artery disease irrespective of age, gender, or family history of diabetes. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to assess the prevalence and its predictors of obesity among the urban population, (2) to analyze the association of obesity with MetS, and (3) to analyze the correlation of obesity with different components of MetS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area of Rishikesh. The World Health Organization STEPS instrument and protocol were used for the assessment of risk factors and measurements. The sample size was calculated to be 478. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Appropriate statistical tests for bivariate and multivariate analysis were done. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS among obese individuals was significantly higher (57%) according to the National Cholesterol Educational Program Adult Treatment Panel 3 definition (P < 0.001). The prevalence of MetS in male and female obesity was 56.8% and 57.1%, respectively. Body mass index was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (BP) (r = 0.238, P = 0.001), diastolic BP (r = 0.281, P = 0.001), Fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = 0.136, P = 0.003), and triglycerideTriglycerides (TG) (r = 0.12, P = 0.009) and negatively correlated with High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) (r = −0.041, P = 0.37). Whereas, waist–hip ratio was significantly correlated with systolic BP (r = 0.277, P = 0.001), diastolic BP (r = 0.251, P = 0.001), FBG (r = 0.232, P = 0.001), and TG (r = 0.273, P = 0.001) and not with HDL (r = 0.033, P = 0.466). CONCLUSIONS: As the prevalence of MetS is higher among obese individuals, health interventions required to reduce the morbidity/mortality and need to be addressed in adult populations.