Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors in Farmers in Southeastern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease thus the objective of the study was to verify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in farmers, as well as to verify the association with sociodemographic, work and lifestyle factors. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study, conducted with 790 individuals. For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used. Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to verify factors associated with metabolic syndrome (3) Results: The prevalence of MS according to the IDF criteria was 16.3% overall, with 9.7% of women (95% CI: 6.66-16.16) and 6.6% of men (95% CI: 5.17-11.97). According to the NCEP/ATP III criterion, it was 12.3% overall, with 7.5% corresponding to women (95% CI: 6.62-13.13) and 4.8% to men (95% CI: 3.5-8.70). With regard to the conditions that make up metabolic syndrome, it was found that high density lipoprotein, high blood pressure and high waist circumference were the most prevalent. (4) Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is considerable in the population when compared to other regions, both rural and urban, in Brazil.

Cut Points of the Conicity Index and Associated Factors in Brazilian Rural Workers.

(1) Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with cardiovascular complications. Therefore, this study aims to establish cut points for the conicity index based on the components of metabolic syndrome and to associate it with characteristic sociodemographic, food consumption and occupational factors in Brazilian rural workers; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out with farmers. The receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated and the cut-off points for the conicity index were identified by the area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity. The variables included in the binary logistic regression analysis were selected by considering p < 0.20 in the bivariate test; (3) Results: The cut points were similar in females according to both criteria, resulting in a single cut-off of 1.269. In males, the cut points showed differences, resulting in 1.272 according to the NCEP-ATP III and 1.252 according to the IDF. We have shown that younger people, those who work more than 40 h a week and the lowest contribution of culinary ingredients are associated with increased odds of abdominal obesity, while the consumption of the products they sell or produce decreases these chances; (4) Conclusions: The conicity index showed high discriminatory power for the identification of abdominal obesity in rural workers. Therefore, there is a need to improve eating habits and promote healthier eating environments for individuals, respecting traditional food culture, mainly to contain the advance of MS in rural areas.