Prevalence of metabolic syndrome, its risk factors and associated lifestyles in Myanmar adult people: A community based cross-sectional study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which include hyperinsulinaemia, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, central obesity, and dyslipidaemia. MetS could lead to a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and vascular conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular diseases and stroke. Worldwide, prevalence of MetS is around 20% to 60% in adult population. Increasing the risks of MetS means rising the health burden and health care costs by higher morbidity of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). People with unhealthy lifestyle are vulnerable to developing MetS and its complication of NCDs. Early identification of MetS and prevention of risk factors are important for controlling NCDs in elder population as Myanmar also facing an increasing number of senior citizens. Despite some evidences could be available regarding prevalence of MetS in Myanmar children and adolescents, there is a scarcity of research studies in adult population. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence and risk factors of MetS in adult population in the community. After achieving the approval from Ethics and Research Committee of University of Nursing (Yangon), a public-based cross sectional study will be performed to fulfill the objectives of the study. A township from Yangon Region will be chosen based on the morbidity and mortality of NCDs for this study. Components of MetS such as blood pressure, waist circumference, lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, height and weight of 400 participants will be measured by home visitings. Trained data collectors and health professionals will be used for standardized data collection procedure to abstain from inter-observer bias. Confidentiality of the participants’ data will be maintained throughout the study. Lifestyle behaviors will be assessed by structured questionnaire which include information about smoking, alcohol drinking, betel chewing, physical activity, exercise status, and sleeping and eating pattern. Information about demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors will be presented by descriptive statistics and association of MetS with lifestyle and anthropometric measurements will be illustrated by inferential statistics. The output of the study will be presented to corresponding health officials to recognize the status of upcoming public health challenges. Full study output will be reported to Department of Medical Research (Yangon) and publishing on international health journal will be performed to be accessible for world wide readers. Academic presentation at national or international conference will be conducted to discuss the the findings of this study and to share the existing knowledge with local and global experts.