Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Lee S. Caplan

Abstract

Obesity is now recognized as a disease in need of treatment by the medical profession and is associated with other chronic diseases including hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin-resistance, and reduced levels of high density lipoproteins. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) occurs when a combination of at least three of these chronic conditions are comorbid with each other. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to find significant health and nutritional predictors of MetS status across race, sex, and age. The evolutionary mismatch hypothesis and health belief model provided the framework for this study. Data were collected from 2,303 participants from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Findings show out of forty six variables associated with health and nutrition, four were significant predictors of MetS Status: triglyceride levels, insulin levels, testosterone levels, and vigorous recreational activities. The results showed the younger age groups had a lower prevalence of MetS compared to the middle-aged and elderly for both sexes and all race groups. Participants with MetS in the younger age groups had higher levels of triglycerides and insulin indicating poor diet. Testosterone levels in males with MetS were lower across all age groups and race compared to men without MetS. Middle-aged participants who engaged in vigorous recreational activity showed significantly less prevalence of MetS compared to those who did not. The results suggest that in order to prevent the financial costs and loss of quality of life from having MetS, the younger population must recognize that being overweight is the start of developing chronic diseases and to proactively monitor their diet and engage in physical activity to reverse unhealthy weight gain.

Download

Share

 
COinS