Metabolic syndrome associated with habitual indulgence and dietary behavior in middle‐aged health‐care professionals

Aims/Introduction: Few studies, especially in Asia, have examined the relevance between metabolic syndrome (MetS), habitual indulgence and dietary behaviors in health‐care professionals. The present study evaluates metabolic syndrome rate and its association with habitual indulgence (coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarette smoking) and diet behavior in health‐care professionals. Materials and Methods: Information was collected from 514 health‐care professionals (147 men, 367 women) who underwent routine physical examinations at a medical center in central Taiwan. Results: Mean age was 48 ± 5 years for men and 45 ± 4 years for women. Mean body mass index was 25.2 ± 4.0 kg/m² for men and 22.5 ± 3.4 kg/m² for women. The age‐adjusted MetS rate among subjects was 24.8–11.7% in men and 7.8–5.4% in women, using two different definitions, respectively. The MetS rate among those who occasionally or frequently consumed tea was higher than among those who never consumed tea (P < 0.05). Although the proportion of subjects who had MetS differed among those with differing alcohol drinking habits (never, quit and current; P < 0.05), a posteriori comparisons showed no significant differences between the two groups. Compared with those who had never smoked, the rate was higher in former smokers and current smokers (P < 0.001). No significant association with coffee consumption was found. People with MetS often consumed sweetened beverages (P < 0.05), rarely read nutrition labels and seldom consumed dairy products. Conclusions: Health‐care professionals who regularly consume tea, smoke, frequently have sweetened drinks, rarely read nutrition labels or rarely consume dairy products are at higher risk of suffering from MetS. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00055.x, 2010)