Objectives
To characterize the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its criteria in students with and without a disability.
Methods
Cross-sectional data were collected between 2008-20 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing study. The five criteria of MetS were evaluated after a 12-hour overnight fast: TG, HDL, FPG via fingerstick; WC at the iliac crest; and BP in duplicate via automated cuff. Disability status was self-reported via online questionnaire. Chi-square analyses were used to identify MetS and its criteria among students with and without a disability. Logistic regression was used to predict odds of MetS; age, BMI, physical activity, alcohol intake, gender, smoking status, and race served as covariates.
Results
The sample (n=6,144) was 69% female, 94% white, and 18.9±1.15 years old; 11.8% of students reported having a disability. Over half (55.3%) of students met one criterion of MetS, 18% had two or more, and 4.2% had ≥3 criteria of MetS. MetS was higher among students with a disability compared to those without (6.2% vs. 3.8%, p=0.003). WC, HDL, and FPG metabolic syndrome criteria presented modestly higher in the disabled population compared to their non-disabled counterparts: WC (14.4% vs. 11.6%, p=0.023), HDL (28.9% vs. 25%, p=0.017), and FPG (6.3% vs. 4.6%, p=0.042). Logistic regression indicates similar odds of MetS for students with a disability after inclusion of covariates (OR: 1.05 CI: 0.7-1.7, p=0.83) compared to students without a disability.
Conclusions
College students with disabilities may have a greater risk for MetS compared to students without a disability. Results may inform organizations on campus to better direct target health promotion campaigns and inspire further research on the health status of students with a disability.
Funding Sources
The NH Agriculture Experiment Station & USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1010738.
