Ethnic Disparities in Metabolic Syndrome Among Caregivers of Preschool Children in a Community-Based Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and dyslipidemia are increasingly prevalent, disproportionately affecting low-income families. We studied the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by ethnicity among caregivers of preschool children in Harlem, New York.

Methods: We analyzed 553 Hispanic and non-Hispanic black caregivers of children in Head Start preschools at their baseline assessment enrolling in a community-based lifestyle intervention. MetS was defined by at least 3 of the following: waist circumference >102/88 cm for men/women respectively, systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg, serum glucose > 100 mg/dL, triglycerides >150 mg/dL, or HDL < 40/50 mg/dL for men/women. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of MetS, and a multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to predict MetS among participants.

Results: The mean age of participants was 37.5±11.3 years old. 34.4% Hispanic and 24.6% non-Hispanic black participants had MetS (p=0.015). This difference in the odds of MetS was primarily driven by a higher incidence of elevated triglycerides, elevated glucose, and low HDL in Hispanic participants, whereas hypertension was more common among black participants. Non-metabolic predictors of MetS in this population included age (OR 1.89 for every 10-year increase in age, p<0.0001, 95% CI: 1.58-2.26), education level (some college or more as compared to high school or less, OR 0.65, p=0.036, 95% CI 0.43-0.97), and Hispanic ethnicity as compared to non-Hispanic black (OR 1.64, p=0.021, 95% CI: 1.08-2.49). These predictors remained statistically significant after additionally adjusting for gender, household income, and tobacco use.

Conclusions: Hispanic caregivers had significantly higher odds of MetS as compared to non-Hispanic black caregivers. The overall prevalence of MetS is high, demonstrating an alarming trend among low-income adults enrolled in an urban community-based trial.