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BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Published in: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Gender-dependent associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the adult Saudi population

Authors: Nasser M Al-Daghri, Khalid M Alkharfy, Omar S Al-Attas, Nasiruddin Khan, Hanan A Alfawaz, Saad A Alghanim, Mansour A Al-Yousef, Abdulrahman S M Al-Ajlan, Majed S Alokail

Published in: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

To determine the gender-dependent association of socio-economic status variables with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adult Saudi population.

Methods

A total of 9164 adult Saudis (aged 18–70 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Marital status, income, education, and occupation were used as socio-economic indicators while behavioral factor like physical exercise was also taken into account. MetS was defined using the criteria based from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III).

Results

In males, the odds ratio (OR) of harboring MetS was higher in married [OR1.6 (Confidence Interval (CI) 1.1, 2.4); p < 0.03], and high income class [OR 2.3(CI 1.5, 3.5); p < 0.001] and lowest in retired and unemployed individuals [1.4(1.0, 1.9); p < 0.04, 0.61(0.45, 0.82); p < 0.001] respectively. In females, MetS was inversely related to high income [OR 0.70 (CI 0.46, 1.1); p < 0.09] and education level [OR 0.38 (CI 0.26, 0.56); p < 0.001], and was significantly higher in the unemployed class [OR 1.6 (CI 1.2, 2.2); p < 0.004].

Conclusions

The prevalence of MetS is significantly high among retired, married and high-earning Saudi males while in females, high earners and high education seem to confer a protective effect against MetS.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Gender-dependent associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the adult Saudi population
Authors
Nasser M Al-Daghri
Khalid M Alkharfy
Omar S Al-Attas
Nasiruddin Khan
Hanan A Alfawaz
Saad A Alghanim
Mansour A Al-Yousef
Abdulrahman S M Al-Ajlan
Majed S Alokail
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2261
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-14-51

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