Dietary Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Kolagur Tribal Women, Yercaud

With increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome among tribal population in India, the present study aimed to assess the incidence of metabolic syndrome and examine the differences in the dietary intake of tribal women residing in Kolagur, a hamlet in Yercaud block, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. One hundred women between the age of 18-60 years were randomly selected and information pertaining to their socio-demographic profile were elicited using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary parameters were assessed using appropriate validated tools. Nutrient intake was computed using Diet Cal software and the statistical analysis was done using ‘R’ statistical software. Of the 100 tribal women, 26% were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome majorly prevalent among the age group of 40-60 years (53.8%). The most common feature of metabolic syndrome was low HDL cholesterol (88.5%). There were no significant differences in the socio-demographic profile of tribal women from both groups. Women with metabolic syndrome were found to have significant difference in all the anthropometric parameters with higher mean BMI (p<0.000), mean waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.000) and mean body fat (p<0.000) than those without metabolic syndrome. The mean fasting plasma glucose (p<0.000), mean triglycerides (p<0.000), mean total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio (p=0.0007), mean systolic blood pressure level (p<0.000) and mean diastolic blood pressure level (p<0.000) were significantly higher and mean HDL - cholesterol was significantly lower (p=0.011) among those with metabolic syndrome. With respect to dietary intake, the mean intake of energy (p=0.012) and carbohydrates (p=0.034) of women with metabolic syndrome were significantly lesser than those without metabolic syndrome. These results imply the need for a cohort with larger sample size to gain more insight into the plausible diet-disease relationship. Long term interventions aimed to treat women with metabolic syndrome is crucial to prevent the onset of non-communicable diseases.