Title:

Association of Fish Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome Criteria in College Students

Objectives: Fish consumption may be protective against metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, findings are inconsistent. This study aims to examine the association between fish consumption and MetS criteria prevalence in a sample of college-aged students (18-24). Methods: Data were collected between 2012-2018 via an ongoing, cross-sectional health survey at a northeastern university (n=4,470). Servings (svgs) of fish/week were self-reported via an online survey; individuals were categorized into 0, >0-<2, 2-3, or >3 svgs of fish/week. MetS criteria were evaluated via elevated glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, waist circumference, and low HDL; MetS was defined as meeting >3 criteria. Data were available for 2,848 students; mean differences in the number of MetS criteria between fish consumption groups were evaluated via ANCOVA with gender, exercise, calories, and BMI as covariates. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 3.4%; 49.4% of students had ≥1 criteria of MetS. There were no differences between number of MetS criteria according to fish consumption groups 0 (n=917), >0-<2 (n=905), 2-3 (n=754), and >3 (n=272) (.7± .03 vs. .7±.03 vs. .7±.03 vs. .6±0.5, p=.33). There were no differences according to fish consumption groups for waist circumference (p=.55), systolic blood pressure (p=.43), diastolic blood pressure (p=.09), and triglycerides (p=.16). The 0 svgs fish/week group had lower HDL compared to the other groups (54.6±.4 vs. 56.2±.5 vs. 56.6±.5 vs. 56.9±.8, all p<0.02) and higher glucose (86.4±.3 vs. 85.4±.3 vs. 85.1±.4 vs. 84.8±.6, all p<0.03). Conclusions: Almost half of the students reported not consuming fish. Given we observed a modest benefit in selected MetS parameters with higher fish intakes, our findings support emphasizing fish as part of the dietary recommendations for young adults. Funding source: New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Project 1010738.

Name

Comment*

Comments are viewable only by submitter

Captcha*