Influence of lifestyle choices on metabolic risk has distinct gender and age differences
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medknow Publications
Abstract
Background and Aim: We aimed to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome risk factors in young and older university
campus population. The infl uence of life-style choices on the physiological risk profi le was also assessed.
Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 335 volunteers were recruited from the main campus of Stellenbosch University in the Western
Cape, South Africa. Complete data sets were available for 200 subjects (older males n = 35; older females n = 53; young males n = 27
and young females n = 85). Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for fasting levels of glucose, triglycerides (TG) and
total cholesterol. In addition, height, body mass, waist and hip circumferences as well as resting pulse rate and blood pressure (BP),
were determined and body mass index was calculated. Subjects also completed a questionnaire on life-style choices.
Results: Central obesity and high BP was the major risk factors contributing to metabolic risk in the older population, while
increased fasting TG level was the most common risk factor in young females. Gender differences in the young population
included relatively higher cholesterol in females and higher BP in males. Although younger males consumed fast food more
often than older males, the older population consumed signifi cantly more alcohol and exercised signifi cantly less.
Conclusion: We conclude that different generations and gender difference may have different etiologies for metabolic risk.
Therefore, the preventative education on metabolic risk and monitoring of disease progression should be optimized for individual
groups and revised regularly in order to accommodate these differences
Description
CITATION: Smith, C. & Essop, M. F. 2014. Influence of lifestyle choices on metabolic risk has distinct gender and age differences. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology, 1(1):13-19, doi:10.4103/2348-8093.129722.
The original publication is available at http://www.ijcep.org
The original publication is available at http://www.ijcep.org
Keywords
Metabolic syndrome, Nutrition, Chronic diseases
Citation
Smith, C. & Essop, M. F. 2014. Influence of lifestyle choices on metabolic risk has distinct gender and age differences. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology, 1(1):13-19, doi:10.4103/2348-8093.129722