Is socioeconomic position related to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome? Influence of social class across the life-course in a population-based study of older men
- Sheena E Ramsay, MPH (s.ramsay{at}pcps.ucl.ac.uk)1,
- Peter H Whincup, FRCP2,
- Richard Morris, PhD1,
- Lucy Lennon, MSc1 and
- S.G. Wannamethee, PhD1
- 1Division of Population Health, University College London, London, UK
- 2Division of Community Health Sciences, St George's, University of London, London, UK
Abstract
Objective: To examine whether adult and childhood social class are related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in later life, independent of adult behavioural factors.
Research design and methods: A population-based cross-sectional study comprised 3134 men aged 60-79.
Results: Adult and childhood social class were both inversely related to MetS. Mutual adjustment attenuated the relation of childhood social class; that of adult social class was little affected. However, the relation of adult social class was markedly attenuated by adjustment for smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption. High waist circumference was independently associated with adult social class.
Conclusions: The adult social class-MetS association was largely explained by behavioural factors. Central adiposity, a MetS component, was associated with adult social class. Focussing on health behaviours and obesity, rather than specific efforts to reduce social inequalities in MetS, is likely to be particularly important in reducing social inequalities in coronary disease.
Footnotes
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- Received June 27, 2008.
- Accepted September 10, 2008.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
