Assessment of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Based on Body Size Phenotype in Korean Adults: Analysis of Community-based Cohort Data

Purpose: Body size phenotypes can be regarded as an indicator of cardiovascular incidence risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of metabolic syndrome among metabolically healthy adults according to body size phenotype using Korean Genome & Epidemiology Study [KoGES]-community based cohort from 2001-2002 to 2014. Methods: A prospective population-based cohort including 5,068 adults aged 40-69 years free from metabolic syndrome was included and di-vided into three phenotypes: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight (MHOW), and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). The time dependent Cox’s proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the incidence of the metabolic syndrome after a follow-up 14 years. Results: In the demographic, health related variables-adjusted model (Model 3), the hazard ratio of the metabolic syndrome was 1.92 (CI 1.54-2.40) for MHOW, 2.88 (CI 2.32-3.58) for MHO among males, 1.89 (CI 1.51-2.37) for MHOW, 2.34 (CI 1.88-2.90) for MHO for females compared to MHNW, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, MHOW and MHO in both males and females increased the risk of metabolic syndrome compared to MHNW. Obesity management should be considered even in the absence of metabolic syndrome. Programs and resources should be provided for prevention of cardiovascular diseases and better quality of life.