Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obesity is known to be lower in Asian population than that in Europe. But, the health risks associated with obesity occur at a lower body mass index (BMI) in Asian. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean adult population according to the new criteria for obesity proposed in Asia-Pacific Perspective. METHODS: From individuls, who participated in medical check-up of Korean Association of Health (KAH), 1,230 individuals were included in the analysis. In patients with type 2 diabetes (n=131), subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n=84), or individuals who have insulin-resistance but show normal fasting glucose (NFG) (n=1015), the metabolic syndrome was defined as presence of at least two of the following components; hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was present in 19% of men and 16% of women. In detail, about 10% in NFG, 50% in IFG, and 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes fulfilled the criteria of metabolic syndrome. In comparison with the lowest tertile of waist circumference and BMI, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increased about 13 fold in subjects with the highest tertile. Using a multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR was associated with an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome (RR=2.23, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The metabolic syndrome, according to the new criteria for obesity in Asian-Pacific Perspective in Korean adult population, is seen as much as Western countries. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia can be suggested as the main causes of the metabolic syndrome.

• Keywords: Metabolic syndrome;Obesity;Insulin resistance;