The Silent Crisis of Metabolic Syndrome and the Need to Reconsider Public Health Strategies in Iran: A Policy Brief
Authors
Zahra Rahimi1, Nader Saki1, Seyed Jalal Hashemi2, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini3, Fakher Rahim 4, Bahman Cheraghian 2*
Affiliations
1. Hearing Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2. Alimentary Tract Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3. Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
4. Department of Internal Medicine, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
Abstract
Background: Research problem: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major driver of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It can be considered a serious threat to public health. Evidence from Iran
indicates a growing prevalence that threatens both population health and economic stability.
Materials and methods: This policy brief is based on findings from a study titled “Socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome in Southwest Iran: Results from the Hoveyzeh Cohort Study (HCS)”.
Results: The overall prevalence of MetS in the participants was 39.1%. While skill level and the Townsend index were significantly and independently associated with MetS, no such associations were observed for educational level or wealth status.
Conclusion: The results of our study showed that socioeconomic status (SES) is a significant factor in the prevalence of MetS. Among the four assessed SES indicators, skilled levels and Townsend score showed the strongest associations with MetS. Therefore, we recommend that interventional programs for MetS account for SES when being designed for similar communities.
