Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome Components By Age And Gender Among Maseno University Students, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide and is a top risk factor for noncommunicable

diseases which are among the world's biggest killer diseases. In Africa, the prevalence of

MS is estimated to be between 17% and 25%. Studies have compared the prevalence of MS but yielded

varied rates among the youth and adults in various countries. These variations are suggestive of the fact

that MS components could be population dependent. The prevalence of MS and association between age,

gender and MS remains uncertain among the youth who are vulnerable of developing MS because they

exhibit unregulated dietary habits. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and

components of MS by age and gender among university students in Kenya. Specifically the study;

examined the prevalence and major components of MS, the association between age and MS components

and between gender and MS components among Maseno university students. The study employed

descriptive cross- sectional study design with a target population of 17,000 students. A sample size of 429

participants determined by Fisher et al. formula was recruited using stratified sampling technique by age

and gender criterion. Socio-demographic data of participants were collected using a pre tested

questionnaire. Anthropometric parameters including Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and

biochemical parameters of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured by

following the World Health Organization guidelines. Blood pressure was measured in mmHg using

automated Omron M2 blood pressure device and fasting blood sugar by use of a Hemocue blood glucose

analyzer. Descriptive statistics was used to present prevalence of MS while chi- square and correlation

analysis determined the association between age, gender and MS components. The results indicated an

overall MS prevalence of 12.4%. The most frequently observed components were low HDL-c at 98.1%

(males 65% and females 33.1%), BMI ≥30kg/m2 (4.9%), High fasting blood sugar (24.5%). Central

obesity, high blood pressure and raised TG were observed less frequently (9.3%, 1.9% and 1.2%

respectively). The study concluded that MS prevalence was high among the youthful population of Kenya

and varies with age and gender. This study therefore recommended that surveillance policies be

developed to identify affected youths and those at risk of having MS to ensure risk factors are detected

early enough for appropriate preventive measures to be undertaken, involving education on the

importance of healthy diet and maintenance of body fitness to reduce the risk of youths developing

cardiovascular diseases.