Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Risk Among Young Adult Students in the Health Sciences from Kathmandu, Nepal

Manisha Sapkota; Alaska Timilsina; Mudita Shakya; Tika Bahadur Thapa; Sneha Shrestha; Sushant Pokhrel; Nishchal Devkota; Bashu Dev Pardhe

doi:10.2147/DHPS.S258331

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Risk Among Young Adult Students in the Health Sciences from Kathmandu, Nepal

Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2020 Aug 17:12:125-133. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S258331. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Manisha Sapkota^#¹, Alaska Timilsina^#¹, Mudita Shakya¹, Tika Bahadur Thapa¹, Sneha Shrestha¹, Sushant Pokhrel¹, Nishchal Devkota², Bashu Dev Pardhe¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Laboratory Medicine, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
² Department of Public Health, Central Institute of Science and Technology, Baneshwor, Nepal.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: The widespread dissemination of unhealthy dietary habits, childhood-teenage obesity, and sedentary lifestyle in young adults has paved the way for public health burden metabolic syndrome and early onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome and diabetes among young adult students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of age group (18 to 25 years) studying at Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences and Central Institute of Science and Technology. The diabetes risk score of each individual was calculated by the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC tool). Independent risk factors for diabetes and metabolic syndrome were measured by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in this study.

Results: A total of 825 students were recruited and 739 (89.6%) students completed the study with all the fulfilled criteria. The metabolic syndrome (Harmonized Joint Scientific Statement (HJSS) criteria) was present in 7.1%, and the most prevalent defining component was low HDL-C (78%); 74.8% of students were under low risk, 22.18% were at slightly elevated risk, 2.02% were at moderate risk, and 1.01% were at high risk of diabetes. The cardiometabolic risk factors like BMI, TC, and LDL-C were higher at a significant level (p<0.001) with an increased diabetes risk score. Independent lifestyle risk factor for metabolic syndrome was current smoking (AOR, 4.49, 95% CI 1.38-14.62) whereas, an independent lifestyle risk factor for diabetes was low adherence to physical exercise (AOR, 4.81, 95% CI, 2.90-7.99).

Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is present, although in low numbers in young adults putting them at risk to develop diabetes in the near future. Early assessment of metabolic syndrome and diabetes risk in young may provide insights for preventive and control plans for risk population.

Keywords: Nepal; diabetes risk; metabolic syndrome; young adults.

Grants and funding

There was no any monetary benefit received from any agency for this study.