Korean J Health Promot.  2011 Mar;11(1):9-17.

The Association Between Eating Frequency and Metabolic Syndrome

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea.
  • 2Department of Family Medicine, Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital, Gunpo, Korea.
  • 3Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. msp20476@hanmail.net

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many studies have revealed that eating frequency influences the total serum cholesterol level, glucose tolerance and obesity. Hypothesizing that an increase in eating frequency decreases the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with total energy intake adjusted, we evaluated the association between eating frequency and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Koreans aged more than 20 years old.
METHODS
We used the data from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III and the Asia-Pacific regional obesity guidelines. To examine the association of metabolic syndrome with eating frequency, snack frequency and meal frequency, we performed multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, daily caloric intake, smoking and drinking.
RESULTS
Meal frequency was associated with metabolic syndrome in the 20-45 years group (P=0.011). Eating frequency was significantly related with metabolic syndrome in the group aged more than 45 years (P=0.025). Within the subgroup of subjects more than 45 years who had one or two meals a day, snack frequency showed a significant association with metabolic syndrome (P=0.038).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a decreased eating frequency is associated with a risk of metabolic syndrome, although the causal relationship is not exactly known. It would be useful to pursue this question through further studies.

Keyword

Metabolic syndrome; Dietary habits; eating frequency; meal frequency

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Eating
Energy Intake
Food Habits
Glucose
Humans
Logistic Models
Meals
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys
Obesity
Prevalence
Smoke
Smoking
Snacks
Cholesterol
Glucose
Smoke
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