Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors in the population of southern Benin

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a set of abnormalities that increases the high risk in developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the population of southern Benin and associated risk factors. This was a prospective cross-sectional analytical study that ran from February 15, 2018 to May 15, 2018, including apparently healthy people aged 18 and over in four ethnic groups in southern Benin. Informed consent was obtained from each participant in the study. The metabolic syndrome has been defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. The population consisted of 434 subjects. The average age was 40.62 ± 13.95 years old. 146 subjects or 33.64% were overweight with a female predominance (82.22% vs 17.78%, p = 0.0004). The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 17.1% with a female predominance (25.7% vs 6.6%, p = 0.000). Some ethnic groups are more affected than others (p = 0.031). Factors associated with the metabolic syndrome were: ethnic group, age, female sex, educational level, marital status, and physical inactivity, overweight, non-regular consumption of fruits and vegetables, and LDL hypercholesterolemia. The metabolic syndrome is a reality in the population of sub-Benin. Measures to handle the associated and predisposing factors will significantly reduce the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and consequently, the risk of cardiovascular disease and the onset of type 2 diabetes.