Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To assess fat intake in older adults with or without MetS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional nutritional survey in older adults living in the Balearic Islands (n = 477, 48% women, 55-80 years old) with no previous CVD. METHODS: Assessment of fat (total fat, MUFA, PUFA, SFA, TFA, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, marine and non-marine ω-3 FA, animal fat and vegetable fat, cholesterol) and macronutrient intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and its comparison with recommendations of the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC). RESULTS: Participants with MetS showed higher BMI, lower physical activity, higher total fat and MUFA intake, and lower intake of energy, carbohydrates, and fiber than participants without MetS. Men and women with MetS were below the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) proposed by IOM for carbohydrates and above the AMDR for total fat and MUFAs, and women were below the AMDR proposed for α-linolenic acid (ALA) compared with participants without MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with MetS were less likely to meet IOM and SENC recommendations for fat and macronutrient intakes as compared to non-MetS subjects.
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Key Points
Eating patterns and their food and nutrient characteristics are the primary emphasis of the recommendations of U.S. Dietary Guidelines 2015–2020. Accordingly, there has been a focus on the roles of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and proteins) and dietary patterns on MetS.
Therefore, taking into consideration the scientific evidence on nutrients in the development of MetS, this study aimed to assess fat intake in older adults with or without MetS.
Women showed an inverse association between fat intake and MetS, irrespective of fatty acid type. Women consumed less n-3 and n-6 FA. Other studies showed that European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations for intake of different types of n n-3 and n-6 FA, such as LA, ALA, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + DHA, were not met in around half, one-quarter, and three-quarters of the European countries, respectively. n-3 and n-6 FA intake was inversely associated with MetS prevalence in females. In this study, total PUFA and specific types of PUFA (LA or ALA) intake were inversely associated with high blood pressure and positively associated with abdominal obesity.
Subjects with MetS were less likely to meet IOM and SENC recommendations for fat and macronutrient intake as compared to non-MetS subjects. Thus, healthy diet and lifestyle patternscan be recommended for all people with MetS and should emphasize the consumption of a variety of legumes, cereals (whole grains), fruits, vegetables, fish, flaxseed, and nuts, which have a high nutrient content and are more likely to meet dietary recommendations. This study also raises the possibility that future recommendations and educational campaigns should be most effective in preventing MetS via lifestyle changes.