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Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among an endangered tribal population in Malaysia using harmonized IDF criteria

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Abstract

The prevalence and risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) of endangered subtribes are scantly reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with MetS among the endangered Orang Asli (OA) populations using the latest harmonized International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. This cross-sectional study was conducted in geographical locations of the endangered subtribes namely Che Wong, Kensiu, Lanoh, and Orang Kanaq by random selection, and Semai was selected as a subtribe with a larger population as a comparison area in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 160 respondents aged between 18 and 72 years were recruited. The respondents were measured for their weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Overnight fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for lipid profile and plasma glucose. The overall prevalence of MetS was 17.0 % (27/159). MetS rate among the endangered population only was 20.5 % (24/117). MetS prevalence was higher among the suburban Orang Kanaq (63.6 %), Che Wong (18.5 %), and Kensiu (16.4 %) subtribes and lower among the rural Lenoh (12.5 %) and Semai (7.1 %) subtribes (P = 0.003). MetS was significantly higher in females (23.8 %) compared to male (5.2 %) respondents. The risk factors identified for higher prevalence of MetS in females included overweight and obesity (P < 0.001), increased waist circumference (P < 0.001), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of MetS among the endangered OA females is alarmingly high, especially among Orang Kanaq subtribe, which needs immediate attention.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS), Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. The authors are thankful to Adzrool Idzwan Ismail and Kamarudzaman Md. Isa for their support in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition and Dietetics Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Lydiatul Shima Ashari & Hamid Jan B. Jan Mohamed

  2. Department of Community Medicine & Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, 13110, Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Amal K. Mitra

  3. Centre for Pathology Diagnostics and Research Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Level 1, Clinical Training Centre, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    Thuhairah Abdul Rahman

  4. Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

    Thuhairah Abdul Rahman

  5. Mississippi College, Jackson, MS, 39056, USA

    Amlan Mitra

  6. Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute, Level 7, FF3, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Lay Kek Teh & Mohd Zaki Salleh

  7. Faculty of Pharmacy, Level 7, FF3, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Lay Kek Teh & Mohd Zaki Salleh

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  1. Lydiatul Shima Ashari
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Correspondence to Hamid Jan B. Jan Mohamed.

Ethics declarations

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Funding

This study was funded by the Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS), Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia (304/PPSK/6150116/U132).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Ashari, L.S., Mitra, A.K., Rahman, T.A. et al. Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among an endangered tribal population in Malaysia using harmonized IDF criteria. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 36, 352–358 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-016-0487-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-016-0487-4

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