High rates of the metabolic syndrome in a first nations community in western Canada: Prevalence and determinants in adults and children

Objectives. Increasing type 2 diabetes in Aboriginal communities across North America raises concerns about metabolic syndrome in these populations. Some prevalence information for American Indians exists, but little has been available for Canada's First Nations. Study Design. We screened 60% of the eligible Population of a single First Nation in Alberta for diabetes, prediabetes, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic syndrome. Methods. NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria were used to identify metabolic syndrome in participants aged >= 18, modified NCEP/ATP III criteria were used for participants aged < 18. Logistic regression identified factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. Results. 297 individuals were screened (176 adults, 84 children/adolescents, with complete data). 52.3% of adults had metabolic syndrome using NCEP/ATP III criteria, and 50% using IDF criteria. 40.5 % of individuals aged < 18 had the condition. Waist circumference was the most prevalent correlate. Bivariate analysis suggested that age, BMI, weight, Alc, LDL-C, ADA risk score and activity pattern were associated with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions. Our data represent the first available for Western Cree and are consistent with prevalence reported for Aboriginal populations in Ontario and Manitoba. High rates of obesity, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome for participants aged < 18 raise concerns about future prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.