ASSOCIATION OF DIET AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME IN INDIAN ADULTS

Asians have an unusual high tendency to develop metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease; importa nt determinants of both these non communicable diseases are insulin resistance and clustering of other proatherogenic factors. These diseases are escalati ng due to marked shift in life style in Asian count ries caused by economic growth, affluence, urbanization and die tary westernization. The present study was done to assess the association of metabolic syndrome, diet and phy sical activity in 1500 urban adults. Anthropometric measurements were taken and blood pressure was measured. Blood lipid profile and blood glucose levels were assessed. Both quantitative as well as qualitative data related to diet and lifestyle was collected fr om the subjects. Dietary intake was determined by 24 hour recall method and food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity assessment was done by a suitable structur ed questionnaire. The results reviled that by NCEP (ATP III) criteria, 750 subjects (44.9% males and 55.1% femal es) with metabolic syndrome (MS) and 750 non-metabolic syndrome (NMS) subjects were identified. The major components of MS were low HDL levels in 85% and elevated waist circumference in 80% of the MS subjects. Intake of energy and fats was higher among the MS subjects. Majority of MS subjects had low activity levels as per Physical Activity Levels (PAL) and G lobal guidelines for physical activity. The study conclud ed that unhealthy choices of foods and low physical activity are associated with a higher incidence of chronic d iseases, characteristic of metabolic syndrome.