Caring for the university community: a program for the detection and prevention of metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a public health problem. This study evaluated the state of health based on five parameters predisposing to metabolic syndrome in students, teachers, and administrative collaborators of the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana (UNITEC) in Tegucigalpa. Methods: Participants were evaluated at health fairs, where they took measurements of weight, height, blood pressure, abdominal circumference, glucometry and calculation of Resting Energy Expenditure with its acronym "REE", readjusted to each of the participants´ physical activity. Results: Frecuency of abdominal obesity was higher in women (20.0%) when compared with men (15.2%) (p= <0.05). In contrast, the percentage of men with high blood pressure was higher than in women (33.0% vs. 15.5%, p = <0.001). When metabolic syndrome risk conditions were summed up, there was a higher percentage of men who presented one or more risk conditions (38.4% vs. 32.1%, p= <0.05). Moderate sedentarism was found in 61.6% of participants. Conclusion: Comprehensive and inclusive programs must be implemented to promote healthy lifestyles in this university population.