Metabolic syndrome components and associated risk factors among nutrition students

Abstract

Changes to body composition and metabolic functions occur in the university population due to lifestyle choices. Students in the health programs are expected to fulfill a fundamental role in promoting healthy lifestyles. The objective of this work was to identify the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and its components among students of a Nutrition and Dietetics program. Ninety students between 18 and 21 years old were evaluated for each of the components of the MS, physical activity by accelerometry, alcohol consumption by Audit questionnaire, smoking, and hours of sleep by Pittsburgh method. The prevalence found were: MS 1.1%, high waist circumference 4.5%, high triglycerides 11%, low HDL 32%, high blood pressure 1.1%. Regarding variables related to lifestyle habits, 73% complied with physical activity recommendations recommended by the WHO. However, 100% of the students were sedentary more than 9 hours per day, 6.7% had alcohol consumption classified as harmful, 19% were exposed to smoke or were smokers, and 63.3% were considered bad sleepers. There was no association between lifestyle variables and the MS components. In conclusion, high triglycerides, low HDL, sedentary lifestyle, and low sleep quality are crucial variables to consider in intervention programs aimed at training nutritionist, in keeping with the profession.