The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among South Indian Chenchu tribal adults

Background: Dietary patterns are paramount in the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) yet the definition and criteria for MetS diagnosis varies. This analysis aims to estimate the prevalence of MetS among the adult Chenchu tribal population comparing International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) definitions of MetS and assess the relationship between dietary patterns and MetS. Materials and Methods: Demographics, medical history, nutrition, and physical activity were collected among 337 South Indian Chenchu tribal adults. The prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals of MetS using ATP and IDF definitions were estimated and associations between individual components of the MetS definitions, demographics, and dietary patterns were assessed. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the Modified Finnish Diabetic Risk Score (FINDRISC)-Bahasa Indonesia instrument and MetS definitions. Results: The prevalence of MetS was low by IDF (25, 7.4%) and ATP (22, 6.5%) definitions, while reporting vigorous physical activity (202, 59.9%) and a “vegetarian” dietary pattern (173, 51.3%) were high. Increasing age, high mutton consumption, and “empty-calorie” dietary pattern were associated with an increased prevalence of MetS, while vigorous physical activity and “vegetarian” dietary pattern were protective of MetS. The modified FINDRISC was not highly correlated with IDF MetS (r = 0.47; P < 0.0001) or ATP MetS (r = 0.11; P = 0.0683). Conclusions: Healthy behaviors, such as vigorous physical activity and high vegetable consumption, may contribute to the low prevalence of MetS in Chenchu tribal adults. Future efforts should continue to monitor dietary patterns and the prevalence of MetS in the understudied South Indian Chenchu tribal population.