Associations between self-reported dietary intake in randomly selected men and women in relation to the metabolic syndrome and the individual components of the syndrome.

Abstract

Abstract Degree Project thesis, Programme in Medicine Title: Associations between self-reported dietary intake in randomly selected men and women in relation to the metabolic syndrome and the individual components of the syndrome. Eric Ljungkvist, 2015, Supervisors Ingrid Larsson & Björn Eliasson, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of five medical conditions: central obesity, increased triglycerides, reduced HDL-cholesterol, hypertension and increased fasting plasma glucose. The components of the MetS cover a subset of known cardiovascular risk factors. Several additional adverse health effects are associated with the MetS for instance increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer disease and cancer. A vast body of scientific research have earlier investigated the relationship between diet and the MetS; but the conclusions are still inconsistent. Aim: To investigate the impact of self-reported dietary intake, in a randomly selected population of men and women, on the MetS and individual components of the syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study, of randomly selected adult men and women, was used to analyse the associations between self-reported dietary intake and the MetS and individual components of the syndrome. Results: In men sugar (mono- and disaccharides) intake was significantly positively associated with the MetS. The strongest associations included sugar intake being negatively associated with HDL-cholesterol in men. In women total carbohydrate intake was negatively associated with HDL-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose. In men polyunsaturated fatty acids was negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: In men, simple carbohydrates, was positively associated with the MetS. Simple and total carbohydrates were negatively associated with HDL-cholesterol in men and women, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were negatively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results from this cross-sectional study are in concordance with present dietary recommendations to prevent common disease risk factors: to limit sugar intake and to increase intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The difference, in influence of diet on the MetS, between sexes is intriguing and demand further research on whether men and women are affected differently in various diet composition. Key words: metabolic syndrome, dietary intake, randomly selected sample, cross-sectional study.