Journal
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
Volume 14, Issue 5, Pages 758-767Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980010002636
Keywords
Elderly; Metabolic syndrome; Ecuador; Micronutrient deficiency; C-reactive protein
Funding
- US National Institutes of Health (Fogarty International Center) [R03 TW005779]
- US National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Aging) [2R01 AG009140]
- US National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Child Health and Development) [R01 HD38327]
- US Department of Agriculture [58-1950-7-707]
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Objective: The proportion of the Latin American population aged >60 years is expected to double during the next few decades. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, little is known about MetS in Latin America in general, and in Ecuador in particular. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of MetS and its association with blood micronutrient, homocysteine (Hcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in the elderly living in a low-income urban area. Design: We performed a cross-sectional study. MetS, using the International Diabetes Federation definition, dietary intake and plasma micronutrient, CRP and Hcy concentrations were assessed. Subjects: A total of 352 elderly (>= 65 years) Ecuadorians. Setting: Quito, Ecuador. Results: MetS was prevalent (40%) - considerably more so among women (81%) than men (19%; chi(2) = 32.6, P < 0.0001). Further, 53% of those without MetS exhibited two or more of its components. Micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent, including those of vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B-12 and folate. Vitamin C and E concentrations were inversely (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.71, 0.86; OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.03, 0.81, respectively) and CRP (OR =1.79, 95% CI 1.04, 3.06) was positively associated with MetS. Conclusions: The coexistence of MetS with micronutrient deficiencies suggests that elderly Ecuadorians suffer from the double burden of diseases that are increasingly being observed in less developed countries. More research is needed to determine the causal factors, but results presented suggest that these older adults would benefit from interventions to reduce the risk factors for MetS, in particular higher consumption of micronutrient-rich foods.
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