Increasing Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korea

TLDR

Metabolic syndrome prevalence is rising worldwide, driven by socioenvironmental changes. This study examined temporal changes in metabolic syndrome and its components in South Korea by comparing national survey data from 1998 to 2007. Using stratified, multistage probability sampling with weighting, the revised NCEP criteria were applied and biochemical parameters measured centrally across 6,907, 4,536, 5,373, and 2,890 adults in the 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Age‑adjusted prevalence increased from 24.9% in 1998 to 31.3% in 2007, with low HDL rising 13.8% and abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia increasing 8.7% and 4.9%, indicating dyslipidemia and obesity as key drivers and underscoring the need for national lifestyle interventions.

Abstract

The number of people with metabolic syndrome is increasing worldwide, and changes in socioenvironmental factors contribute to this increase. Therefore, investigation of changes in metabolic syndrome and its components in South Korea, where rapid socioenvironmental changes have occurred in recent years, would be foundational in setting up an effective strategy for reducing this increasing trend.We compared the prevalence and pattern of metabolic syndrome among participants in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007. In each survey, stratified, multistage, probability-sampling designs and weighting adjustments were conducted to represent the entire Korean population. The revised National Cholesterol Education Program criteria were used as the definition of metabolic syndrome. All biochemical parameters were measured in a central laboratory.A total of 6,907 (mean ± SE age 45.0 ± 0.2 years), 4,536 (45.5 ± 0.2), 5,373 (47.1 ± 0.2), and 2,890 (49.9 ± 0.3) Koreans over 20 years of age have participated in the studies in 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2007, respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly from 24.9% in 1998, 29.2% in 2001, and 30.4% in 2005 to 31.3% in 2007. Among the five components, the level of low HDL cholesterol increased the most, by 13.8% over the 10 years. Abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia followed, with 8.7 and 4.9% increases, respectively.Because dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity were major factors in increasing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Koreans for the past 10 years, lifestyle interventions should be conducted at the national level to reduce the burden and consequences of metabolic syndrome.