BackgroundThere are limited data on the prevalence rate of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among college students attending any Historically Black College and University (HBCU), which are mostly attended by young African Americans (AA). We report the prevalence and gender differences in the components of MetS in a sample population from an HBCU campus.MethodsThree hundred and seventy six (218 females and 158 males) first year college students (average age 19.8 years), attending Kentucky State University, Frankfort with no prior diagnosis of illness participated in the cross sectional study. Anthropometric screenings included measurement of height, weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). The clinical screenings included measurement of blood pressure and determination of fasting lipid and glucose concentrations. The National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions for MetS were applied. Statistics: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) scores on the Means procedure were used to examine differences between genders for all anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters. Fisher’s exact chi-square tests were used to analyze the prevalence of MetS criteria per gender, the number of MetS criteria per BMI category and the prevalence of MetS criteria. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05 for all tests.ResultsPrevalence rates for MetS criteria varied depending on the definition used. According to the NCEP ATP definition, 31.4% of the sample population had at least 1 criterion for MetS, while 20.7% had 2 criteria. When IDF definition was applied, 21.3% sample population had 1 criterion and 17.5% had at least two criteria. Prevalence was highest for low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (37.3%) and elevated fasting glucose (22.1%). On the basis of the NCEP ATP and IDF definitions, overall prevalence of MetS in the total sample was 12%, and 9.3% respectively.ConclusionsHBCUs offer a unique opportunity to monitor and address the risk factors of MetS in a predominantly young AA population. There is a higher prevalence of MetS in this study population than any other reports on college students.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential risk of DNA damage due to exposure to a mixture of the most widely used pesticides, namely endosulfan, chlorpyriphos and thiram at an environmentally relevant concentration (5 microM each) and the DNA protective capacity of sulforaphane (SFN) (10-30 microg/mL). DNA damage in human lymphocytes was ascertained with Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE), also called Comet Assay. For positive control, H(2)O(2) at 100 mM was used. The pesticide mixture produced DNA damage at the concentration used in the lymphocytes. SFN was able to offer a statistically significant (P < 0.01), concentration-dependant protection to DNA damage between 10-20 microg/mL in both the pre-incubation and co-incubation strategies. The results indicate that exposure to low levels of these pesticide mixtures can induce DNA damage, and the presence of SFN in diet may reduce the incidence of genetic damage, especially in farm workers. However, it is not clear whether SFN is involved in quenching of the free radicals generated by the pesticide mixture or it is involved in DNA repair mechanism.

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Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of obesity continue to exist. African Americans (AA) continue to report higher rates for obesity than any other ethnic group. However, there is limited data on the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MtS) in young AA. Overweight and obesity are linked to greater risk for MtS, a cluster of chronic diseases that include a high body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension and lipid imbalance. With an objective to create greater awareness through early detection and intervention, SHAPE UP KSU was launched through a successful collaboration between researchers, the local health department and teaching faculty in the fall of 2009 at Kentucky State University, an HBCU. With more than 2/3 of KSU students being AA (18–24 years), freshmen students (n=149) were recruited and were screened for 1. Body Mass Index, 2. Waist and hip measurements 2. Fasting sugar, 3. Total Cholesterol, 4. HDL, 5. LDL, 6. Fasting Triglycerides and 7. Blood Pressure. Applying NCEP ATP III criteria for MtS, approximately 44% (n=27) of the participants were found ‘at risk’ for MtS. Starting with freshmen, those found ‘at risk’, will be offered nutrition and life style related counseling. These partnerships with local and national resources will work as a ‘model’ for many other institutions of higher education, especially HBCUs.