Insight in socio-economic differences in the development of metabolic syndrome in adults: what is the role of health behaviour?

24-11-2021

- by Marjolein

Study by Liza Hoveling, Aat Liefbroer, Ute Bültmann and Nynke Smidt

Socio-economic health differences in the Netherlands are substantial, and the difference will remain the same or even increase if governance does not change. Education, income, and professional prestige are quantifiable measures that can be used to determine the socio-economic position of an individual. The highest level of education (educational attainment) is the most widely used measure to assess a person’s socio-economic position.

In order to reduce the differences in health between people with lower versus higher levels of educational attainment, it is important to better understand highly prevalent diseases that are strongly related to the level of education. One of these prevalent diseases in adults is metabolic syndrome. The diagnosis for metabolic syndrome is given when at least three of the following conditions are present: too much abdominal fat, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol levels, elevated glucose levels (associated with type 2 diabetes) and/or triglyceride levels in the blood. Individuals with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk to develop cardiovascular diseases. It is not yet known to what extent individuals with a lower educational attainment develop metabolic syndrome more often, and how physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and diet play a role.

In our study we found that individuals with a higher educational attainment had a reduced risk to develop metabolic syndrome. This could be explained by the finding that these people smoke less, use alcohol less excessively, and eat more healthy. We did find that individuals with a higher educational attainment are less often physically active.

The results in our study show that a change in health behaviour by people with lower educational attainment could reduce the risk to develop metabolic syndrome. Other factors must be taken in consideration, because the association between educational attainment and metabolic syndrome could not be completely explained by health behaviour. Future research could focus for example on social- or environmental factors that affect people with a lower educational attainment, such as stress, health skills or social relationships.