Associations between fish intake and the metabolic syndrome and its components among middle-aged men and women: the Hordaland Health Study

Abstract

In epidemiologic studies, the relationship between fish consumption and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been inconclusive and sex differences reported. The aim was to investigate associations between fish intake and the MetS in a cross-sectional study of men and women. Fish intake, waist circumference, triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, glucose and blood pressure were assessed among 2874 men and women (46–49 y) in the Hordaland Health Study (1997–1999). Fatty fish intake was inversely associated with TG in men only; mean difference in TG between highest and lowest quartile of fatty fish intake was –0.33 mmol/L (95% CI: –0.51, –0.15). Lean fish intake was inversely associated with TG in women only; mean difference in TG between highest and lowest quartile of lean fish intake was –0.23 mmol/L (95% CI: –0.34, –0.11). Fatty fish intake was positively associated with serum HDL-C in both men and women. Total fish intake was inversely associated with MetS; adjusted OR 0.75 (95% CI 0.57, 0.97). Higher fish intake was associated with lower odds of having MetS possibly driven by associations of higher fish intake with lower TG and higher HDL-C. The findings of differential associations by sex needs to be confirmed and possible biologic mechanisms explored.

Nutrients in Fish and Possible Associations with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome

“…In these two observational studies, the participants did not have MetS at the beginning of the study. Regarding the cross-sectional studies, six out of eight studies found an association between fish consumption and MetS [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. However, for two of these [ 30 , 31 ], the association was found only for lean fish and men ( Table 2 ).…”

A systematic review of the determinants of seafood consumption

“…An association between higher education and non-fried fish consumption, as well as an association between lower education level and fried fish consumption, was reported in two papers (54,57) . Whilst the majority of papers did find a positive association, and Hansen-Krone et al (2014) both found that a higher percentage of people with lower fish intake had higher education or a university degree compared to those in the highest quintile of fish intake (33,43) . However, despite statistical significance, in Hansen-Krone et al's 2014 study, the second highest percentage of people in higher education was seen in those who consumed fish 2-2.9 times/week.…”

Dietary differences between metabolically healthy overweight-obese and metabolically unhealthy overweight-obese adults

“…A previous meta-analysis found that the incidence of the metabolic syndrome is reduced by 6 % with an increment of one serving/week of fish consumption (25) . In this sense, previous studies have suggested that high fish consumption was associated with lower TAG levels, higher HDL-cholesterol levels and lower risk of the metabolic syndrome in Norwegian middle-aged adults (26) and in Norwegian adults of 26-70 years (27) . High fish consumption was also associated with lower waist circumference, lower TAG levels, higher HDL-cholesterol levels and lower risk of the metabolic syndrome in a 13-year follow-up study from the above-mentioned cohorts (28) .…”

“…Fish are rich in n-3 long-chain PUFA (EPA and DHA), proteins, taurine, vitamin D, vitamin B, iodine and Se (26,28) . These nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties (28) , reduce abdominal obesity (28) , improve blood lipid profile (28) , have hypotensive effects (28) and induce fatty acid oxidation (26) , these effects are independent of the type of fish (lean or fatty) consumed (26)(27)(28) . Therefore, the intake of the above-mentioned nutrients found in fish and sea-derived products could develop a better metabolic profile independent of the BMI status (29) .…”