Socioeconomic disparities and smoking habits in metabolic syndrome : evidence from Isfahan healthy heart program

Abstract EN

Background : the metabolic syndrome (Mets) consists of major clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

This study determines the association of socioeconomic determinants and smoking behavior in a population-based sample of Iranians with Mets.

Methods : this cross-sectional survey comprised 12600 randomly selected men and women aged ≥ 19 years living in three counties in central part of Iran.

They participated in the baseline survey of a community-based program for CVD prevention entitled” Isfahan Healthy Heart Program” in 2000-2001.

Subjects with Mets were selected based on NCEP- ATPIII criteria.

Demographic data, medical history, lifestyle, smoking habits, physical examination, blood pressure, obesity indices and serum lipids were determined, Results : the mean age of subjects with Mets was significantly higher.

The mean age of smokers in both groups was higher than non-smokers but with lower WC and WHR.

Marital status, age and residency were not significantly different in smokers with Mets and non-smokers with Mets.

Smoking was more common in the middle educational group in the income category of Quartile 1-3.

Mets was significantly related to age, sex and education.

Middle-aged and elderly smokers were at approximately 4-5 times higher risk among Mets subjects.

Low education decreased the risk of Mets by 0.48 ; similarly in non-smokers, 6-12 years of education decreased the risk of Mets by 0.72.

Conclusion : more educated persons had a better awareness and behavior related to their health and role of smoking.

In the lower social strata of the Iranian population, more efforts are needed against smoking habits.