Prevalence and Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among a Group of Thai Working Population: a Cross Sectional Study
Jongkol Podang MSc*, Piyamitr Sritara MD**, Kulaya Narksawat MSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among employees of the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand based in Bangkok.
Material and Method: The present study was conducted among 2,544 participants (1,875 men, 669 women) enrolled in the
cohort study of Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital. Baseline cross sectional data in 2009 was analyzed. The MetS was
defined using NCEP ATP III criteria. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) stratified by gender were
computed.
Results : Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 16.6%, 18.2% in males and 10.3% in females. More than half of the
participants had a low intensity of physical activity. Significant non-modified factors associated with MetS among males were
increased age (OR = 1.02; borderline 95%CI 1.00-1.04), levels of education were bachelor degree and lower compared with
higher than bachelor degree (OR = 1.87; 95%CI 1.20-2.91 and OR = 2.28; 95%CI 1.32-3.93), working in a middle and
lower type of job (OR = 1.44; 95%CI 1.01-2.05, OR = 2.08; 95%CI 0.98-4.40) compared with a high-end type of job. For
females, significant factors associated with MetS were increased age (OR = 1.08; 95%CI 1.02-1.15), having middle income
compared with high income (OR = 3.01; 95%CI 1.28-7.06).
Conclusion : Modified risk factor in low physical activity should be managed by increased intensity of physical activity among
participants in a low and middle type of job and income to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Keywords : Metabolic syndrome, Prevalence, Factors associated with MetS, Thai working adults
