Original Article

International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 912–917. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803240; published online 24 January 2006

Insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome among non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women in North Taiwan

W-Y Lin1,2,3, W-S Yang4,5,6, L-T Lee1, C-Y Chen1, C-S Liu2,3, C-C Lin2,3 and K-C Huang1

  1. 1Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  2. 2Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
  3. 3Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
  4. 4Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  5. 5Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
  6. 6Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

Correspondence: Dr K-C Huang, Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan. E-mail: chin3@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw

Received 13 April 2005; Revised 10 October 2005; Accepted 8 December 2005; Published online 24 January 2006.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

To investigate the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and its related factors among non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women in North Taiwan.

Design:

 

A cross-sectional study in a medical center in North Taiwan.

Subjects:

 

Five hundred and ninety-four, non-diabetic middle-aged women (age range=40–64 years, mean=48.9plusminus5.4 years) were recruited.

Measurements:

 

The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipids levels and anthropometric indices were measured. The homeostasis model assessment was applied to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Panel (NCEP) criteria and modified NCEP criteria (waist circumference >80 cm).

Results:

 

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 6.2% using NCEP criteria, and 8.9% using modified NCEP criteria. Post-menopausal women had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components compared to pre-menopausal women except hyperglycemia and low HDL-C. In multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and menopausal status, both BMI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion:

 

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in post-menopausal than pre-menopausal women. Both obesity and insulin resistance may play an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome among the middle-aged women in North Taiwan.

Keywords:

metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, body mass index, menopause

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