Nutrition patterns and metabolic syndrome: A need for action in young adults (French Nutrition and Health Survey — ENNS, 2006–2007)

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between adherence to French diet and physical activity recommendations and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk.Methods18–74-year-old subjects who underwent dietary assessment and health examination in the 2006–2007 French Nutrition and Health Survey (Etude Nationale Nutrition Santé, ENNS 2006–2007) were included in the analyses (n = 1608). Quintiles of PNNS-GS, the score measuring adherence to French recommendations, were generated. The prevalence of overall MetS risk and separate components across quintiles of PNNS-GS was estimated by adjusted logistic regressions. Interactions were searched for between PNNS-GS and sex, age and currently used medication.ResultsThe PNNS-GS was inversely associated with overall MetS risk in subjects not taking antidiabetic, antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medication (12.8% in the lowest quintile vs. 4.6% in the highest PNNS-GS quintile; P < 0.01). This was true in 18–49-year-old subjects (10.0% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.01), but not in 50–74-year-olds (23.8% vs. 11.2%; P = 0.15). In 18–49-year-old adults, including those taking such medication, the HDL component was associated with PNNS-GS (22.1% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.01).ConclusionImprovement in diet and physical activity in line with recommendations could be effective in young adults for MetS prevention so as to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in France.