The Prevalence of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome among Polish Women without Pre-Existing Cardiovascular Conditions and Diabetes: A Multicenter Study in Poland

Background: A very prevalent problem worldwide is not only the high prevalence of chronic conditions but also the high frequency of their underdiagnosis and unhealthy lifestyles, both resulting in the development and inadequate treatment of civilization diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal metabolic parameters among Polish women aged >35 years who have not yet been diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, as well as evaluate their lifestyles and look for relationships between individual lifestyle parameters and metabolic abnormalities. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study conducted on a group of women aged ≥ 35 years without previous cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. As part of the study, patients had anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests performed (serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and completed the HLPCQ (the Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Control Questionnaire). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference ≥ 88 cm. Results: The study included 672 women considered healthy. In the analyzed group of women, 20.6% met the criteria for a diagnosis of obesity based on BMI, and 36.8% were diagnosed with abdominal obesity. In addition, 16.8% of the women had an abnormal fasting blood glucose result. Moreover, 46.4% of the women’s blood pressure measurements were above the normal range, and as many as 57.7% of the women had abnormal non-HDL levels. In addition, 150 women met the criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. These conditions were far more common in women diagnosed with obesity. Physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of developing obesity and metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: The underdiagnosis of chronic conditions in the study population is high. More than 20% of women met the criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of which was significantly higher in patients with obesity. A healthy lifestyle was associated with a reduced risk of developing metabolic syndrome and its individual components. It is necessary to actively search for chronic conditions in patients, which requires the involvement of not only healthcare system employees but also government representatives.