Background and aim: Since little information on the metabolic syndrome (MS) is available in Latin America, the aim of this study was to explore whether and to what extent differing socioeconomic conditions influence the prevalence of MS and its associated factors among young adults from two towns in Latin America: semi-rural Limache (L), Chile, and urban Ribeirão Preto (RP), Brazil.
Methods and results: A cross-sectional study based on two independent investigations of 22- to 28 year-old subjects using a common methodology. The prevalence of MS (according to the US National Cholesterol Education Program) and its risk factors (smoking habit, alcohol and caloric intake, obesity, physical activity and socioeconomic conditions) were assessed. The prevalence of MS was 10% in L and in RP men, but was lower (4.8%) in RP women. Hyperglycemia was very low (0.8% in L and 1.1% in RP), while the prevalence of low HDL cholesterol levels was high (66.7% and 42.2%, respectively). Intermediate prevalences of hypertriglyceridemia (17.9% and 12.9%), elevated blood pressure (15.5% and 23.1%) and abdominal obesity (19.3% versus 12.7%) were detected. RP subjects had a higher educational level and more qualified jobs, came from smaller families, and a higher proportion were car owners. In L, the smoking habit was more frequent, subjects had higher excess weight and caloric intake, and lower levels of physical activity.
Conclusions: Metabolic changes possibly leading to cardiovascular diseases in later life were present in both populations at an early age, but were higher in the rural and less developed county. Our findings point to the existence of a cultural, educational and socioeconomic phenomenon that possibly influences the prevalence of the diagnostic components of MS through differences in lifestyles.