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=48.9±5.4 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.
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Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC 89-2314-B-002-094). We thank Dr Patty Li for kindly reviewing this manuscript. We also thank Miss Hsu, Mei-Yu and Mr. Chan Inn-Jei for technical assistance.
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Lin, WY., Yang, WS., Lee, LT. et al. Insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome among non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women in North Taiwan. Int J Obes 30, 912–917 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803240
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803240
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