ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in non-obese adult individuals, but less research focusing on elderly group. We aimed to assess the prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components in metabolic obese, non-obese elderly population in northern Taiwan (body mass index [BMI] < 27 kg/m2). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among elderly people (≥65 y/o) who received a senior citizen health examination from March to November 2009. A total of 1180 participants (433 men, 36.7%; 748 women, 63.3%) were investigated. The prevalence and odds ratios of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), were analyzed in the following BMI groups: <18.5 kg/m2, 18.5 - 24 kg/m2, 24 - 27 kg/m2, and ≥27 kg/m2. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with BMI in both women and men (P < 0.001) in this study. A higher prevalence of MetS was found in the overweight and obesity groups and also in women with normal BMI. The mean body weight of individuals with MetS was higher than that of those without MetS across BMI groups, especially in the normal BMI group. The odds ratios for MetS were 1.06 (95% confidence interval: 1.01 - 1.11) for women and 1.11 (1.01 - 1.21) for men with BMI 18.5 - 24 kg/m2, and 1.09 (1.02 - 1.17) for men with BMI 24 - 27 kg/m2. Conclusions: Elderly individuals in the BMI belong to normal and overweight groups have a relatively high prevalence and increased risk of developing MetS. Therefore, physicians should perform screening examinations for MetS and its risk factors not only in obese patients but also in non-obese elderly patients to prevent Mets. This electronic document is a “live” template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.