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

Abstract

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