الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
This study was carried out to study the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome among Menoufia University students aiming at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among the students, which is useful in deciding appropriate measures for preventing the metabolic syndrome. Also, in this study we assessed cardiovascular risk among students with metabolic syndrome using Framingham scoring system. A cross sectional study was carried out in two practical and two theoretical faculties in Menoufia University. This study included 455 students who were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire including Socio-demographic data (age, sex, and residence), Socio- economic data (family size, family income, education level of father and mother and occupation of father and mother) and questions to assess the possible risk factors of metabolic syndrome including smoking history, family history of medical disorders, dietary habits and sleeping problems. Also, levels of physical activity, degree of stress and 10-year cardiovascular risk of the participants were assessed.
Anthropometric measurements (including weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio), blood pressure measurement and laboratory investigations (including fasting blood sugar and lipid profile) were carried out for all participants.
Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was done based on the ATP III Criteria.
The following results were obtained:
- The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this study was found to be 16.7% which was significantly higher among female students (20.8%) than males (13%).
- Concerning individual metabolic syndrome components, the most prevalent metabolic risk observed among the studied population was the increased waist circumference (41.8%) followed by hypertriglyceridemia (40.2%) and low levels of HDL-C (36.3%).
- Clustering of risk factors for metabolic syndrome revealed that 40.5% of the students were found to have at least one of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome while 16.7% had been identified with three or more of the metabolic risk factors.
- The presence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher among those with older age, female sex, urban residence, smokers, high socio-economic level and obesity.
- Regarding the mean values of anthropometric measurements, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio were significantly higher among those with metabolic syndrome than those without the syndrome.
- Regarding the mean values of biochemical laboratory investigations, raised level of triglycerides and low level of HDL-C were significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome.
- Family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was significantly related to the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.
- High consumption of fast food and soft drinks carry a significant risk of metabolic syndrome among the studied participants.
- Exposure to chronic stress (perceived stress) was highly associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.
- Participants with low level of physical activity have significantly higher rate of metabolic syndrome.
- The presence of metabolic syndrome had increased the 10-years cardiovascular risk.
- Waist Hip ratio can be used as the best parameter in the screening of MetS in our university students.
from above results, we can conclude that, the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome can be due to multiple risk factors including unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, family history of hypertension and diabetes, and exposure to chronic stress.
Therefore, we advocate raising awareness about this syndrome which is the first step in ensuring positive and aggressive action in tackling MetS in Egypt especially in young age. Lifestyle modifications such as: Loss of weight, increase in physical activity, and a healthy diet are useful for this age group in order to improve their future health.