The relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome and its components among adults from Dikgale HDSS Limpopo Province

Abstract

Title: The relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome and its components amongst adults from Dikgale HDSS in Limpopo Province. Background: Alcohol is the most consumed beverage worldwide and is linked to the prevalence of some risk factors of metabolic syndrome. However, the association between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome is insufficient and not well studied among rural Africans. This study aimed to determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome in adults (40-60 years) from a rural setting, in Limpopo Province. Objective(s): To determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, and its risk factors and to assess these respective relationships in adults from Dikgale HDSS. Methods: This study was correlational and retrospective, applying quantitative methods. Secondary data was collected under the Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic research project. A sample size of 1398 individuals was collected. A student t-test, bivariate correlation, partial correlation, and logistic linear regression were used. The significance was set at a probability (p) of less than 0.05. Results: Prevalence of alcohol consumption was 17%, of which (57%) were males. Hypertension (30%) and obesity (43%) were more prevalent. Non-alcohol consumers had significantly higher mean values for glucose and LDL-cholesterol with lower HDL cholesterol. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 24% and 22% whilst using two sets of criteria respectively. Non-alcohol consumers had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (24% and 24%) compared to alcohol consumers (12% and 14%). Logistic linear regression showed that alcohol consumption improves HDL cholesterol, hyperglycaemia, and metabolic syndrome. Univariate and multivariate regression shows that alcohol consumers are less likely to have low HDL cholesterol, visceral obesity and hypercholesterolaemia.