Education and the metabolic syndrome in women

OBJECTIVE - The main objective was to examine the association between the m etabolic syndrome and socioeconomic position las indicated by education) am ong women, RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The study sample comprised healthy women (age d 30-65 years) in Sweden who were representative of the general population in a metropolitan area. Socioeconomic position was measured by educational level (mandatory [less than or equal to 9 years], high school, or college/u niversity). The metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of two or mo n: of the following components: 1) fasting plasma glucose level greater tha n or equal to 7.0 mmol/l; 2) arterial blood pressure greater than or equal to 160/90 mmHg; 3) fasting plasma triglycerides greater than or equal to 1. 7 mmol/l and/or HDL cholesterol <1.0 mmol/l; and 4) central obesity (waist- to-hip ratio >0.85 and/or BMI >30 kg/m(2)), RESULTS - After adjustment for age, the risk ratio for the presence of the metabolic syndrome comparing the lowest (less than or equal to 9 years) wit h the highest (college/university) education was 2.7 (95% CI 1.1-6.8)1 This association persisted after controlling for menopausal status, family hist ory of diabetes, and behavioral risk factors. CONCLUSIONS - Low education is associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women. These findings show that not only are women with low socioeconomic position at increased risk for individual risk fact ors that are associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, th ey are also at increased risk for the metabolic clustering of risk factors.