Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in normal weight individuals

Introduction and objective. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and overweight in individuals with normal body weight is connected with higher exposure to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk and frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome and each of its components among individuals with normal weight. Materials and method. Data were obtained by structured interview, and by measurements of anthropometric factors and blood analyses among 13,172 individuals aged 37–66. The risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was analysed in tertiles within the normal range of BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Results. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 17.27% of individuals with normal weight. A significant increase in the risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome in females was observed within the second (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.63–3.05) and the third (OR = 3.97; 95% CI: 2.97–5.36) tertiles of normal BMI values. In males, a significantly higher risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was noted only in the highest BMI tertile (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.26–3.83), compared to the reference level. Conclusions. A high frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome risk factors was observed among individuals with BMI close to the upper cut-off point of the normal range. In order to early diagnose metabolically obese individuals with normal weight it is necessary to check the waist circumference when BMI ≥ 22.5 kg/m2 in females, and BMI ≥ 23.8 kg/m2 in males, where abnormal values should be a signal that further examinations should be performed to determine other risk factors of metabolic syndrome.