[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in indigenous people over 40 years of age in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) among indigenous people older than 40 years of age from two cities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

METHODS

A descriptive, analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted in two municipalities, Porto Alegre and Nonoai, between July and August 2009. A total of 150 indigenous people older than 40 years of age (range: 40-104 years), participated in the study. MS prevalence was determined based on National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Blood samples and anthropometric data were collected. The participants also answered a questionnaire on eating habits, which was then contrasted to the 10 steps to healthy eating proposed by the World Health Organization and recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

RESULTS

MS prevalence was 65.3%, affecting women more than men (P < 0.001). Changes in waist circumference, fasting glucose, and HDL-cholesterol and presence of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and obesity were associated with MS. Age, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle were not associated with MS. Indigenous people with MS had a poor diet, with low intake of fruit and vegetables, low levels of physical activity, high consumption of sweets and soft drinks, and high prevalence of obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of MS was observed among the indigenous people surveyed, especially in women. Education and motivation for healthy behaviors is possibly the best way to manage MS and promote health in a population that is still neglected by public health policies.