Nutrition patterns and metabolic syndrome: a need for action in young adults (French Nutrition and Health Survey - ENNS, 2006-2007).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between adherence to French diet and physical activity recommendations and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk.

METHODS

18-74-year-old subjects who underwent dietary assessment and health examination in the 2006-2007 French Nutrition and Health Survey (Etude Nationale Nutrition Santé, ENNS 2006-2007) were included in the analyses (n=1608). Quintiles of PNNS-GS, the score measuring adherence to French recommendations, were generated. The prevalence of overall MetS risk and separate components across quintiles of PNNS-GS was estimated by adjusted logistic regressions. Interactions were searched for between PNNS-GS and sex, age and currently used medication.

RESULTS

The PNNS-GS was inversely associated with overall MetS risk in subjects not taking antidiabetic, antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medication (12.8% in the lowest quintile vs. 4.6% in the highest PNNS-GS quintile; P<0.01). This was true in 18-49-year-old subjects (10.0% vs. 1.7%, P<0.01), but not in 50-74-year-olds (23.8% vs. 11.2%; P=0.15). In 18-49-year-old adults, including those taking such medication, the HDL component was associated with PNNS-GS (22.1% vs. 7.9%; P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Improvement in diet and physical activity in line with recommendations could be effective in young adults for MetS prevention so as to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in France.