Cardiometabolic Health of Chinese Older Adults With Diabetes Living in Beijing, China

ABSTRACT Objectives: Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, this study examined the presence of metabolic syndrome and modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults with diabetes living in Beijing, China.
Design and Sample: The cross-sectional study collected data through face-to-face interviews. The study included 73 Chinese older adults with diabetes. Their mean age was 68 years (±7.66), with a range from 52 to 90 years.
Measurements: Data were collected on demographic characteristics, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile and fasting glucose, physical activity, diet, and health status.
Results: The great majority (85%) had metabolic syndrome; 65% had hypertension; 52% had high levels of low-density lipoproteins, and 80.6% had a high level of fasting glucose. Half of the participants (51.4%) were overweight, 16.7% were obese, and 86.3% had central obesity. Age, gender, BMI, income, insurance, smoking history, physical activity, and diet explained 23% of the variance in the metabolic syndrome component, systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions: The association of predisposing and enabling factors and health behavior with the metabolic syndrome needs to be further explored. Persons with diabetes should have regular health screenings to check for blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides in order to decrease the risks associated with metabolic syndrome and CVD.