Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: The metabolic syndrome is more common in socially disadvantaged groups. Inequalities in household wealth are currently widening and may contribute to the increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 1,509 women and 4,090 men (aged 45.2-68.9 years) of an occupational cohort study of 20 civil service departments located in London, U.K. Components of the metabolic syndrome were measured in 1997-1999 and defined using a modified World Health Organization definition. RESULTS: Own income, household income, and wealth were each strongly and inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome in both sexes (P(trend) < 0.001). Within each group of household wealth, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was higher in men than in women. Sex differences became smaller with decreasing household wealth, with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome rising from 12.0 and 5.7% in the wealthiest men and women, respectively, to corresponding values of 23.6 and 20.1% in the poorest group. The odds ratio (95% CI) associated with each decrease of one category in household wealth was 1.25 (1.03-1.50) in men and 1.69 (1.18-2.41) in women, adjusting for age, household members, occupational grade, education, father's social class, personal and household income, ethnic group, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Household wealth, a measure of assets accumulated over decades and generations, is strongly and inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome. Future research should explore the potential mechanisms by which wealth inequalities are associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Original publication

DOI

10.2337/dc06-0022

Type

Journal article

Journal

Diabetes Care

Publication Date

12/2006

Volume

29

Pages

2694 - 2700

Keywords

Adult, Female, Health Behavior, Health Status, Humans, Income, London, Male, Metabolic Syndrome, Middle Aged, Poverty, Prevalence, Socioeconomic Factors