The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Childhood Maternal Education Level, Job Status Findings from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination, 2007-2009

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood socioeconomic status (SES) is known to affect cardio-metabolic disease risk. However, the relationship between childhood SES and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between childhood SES, as measured by maternal education and occupational status and adult-onset MetS in the Korean population.MethodsWe examined the association between childhood SES, as measured by maternal education level and occupational status during an individual's childhood, and MetS in Korean adults aged 20 to 79 years who participated in the 2007-2009 Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey. The components of MetS, including waist circumference, fasting glucose, lipid profiles, and blood pressure, were measured. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for MetS were calculated using multiple logistic regression models.ResultsSignificant differences in the association between maternal education level, occupational status, and MetS were found between males and females. In females, the adjusted MetS OR for the highest maternal education quartile relative to the lowest quartile was 0.46 (0.21-0.99). Similarly, in females, the adjusted OR for individuals whose mothers worked when they were children relative to those whose mothers did not work was 1.23 (1.04-1.44). In males, no significant associations between maternal education, maternal occupational status, and MetS were found.ConclusionWe found independent, positive associations between maternal education and occupational status and MetS in Korean females. These findings suggest that public health education targeting MetS prevention should be considered, especially among children with less opportunity for maternal support.

Clinical Characteristics and Metabolic Health Status of Obese Korean Children and Adolescents

“…In men, however, no significant associations were detected between metabolic syndrome and maternal education level or occupational status. 21) We also did not find any noteworthy associations between these factors in our study.…”

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Factors in Chinese Children and Adolescents: Analysis from a Chinese National Study

“…Well-educated mothers are believed to be more health-conscious with more knowledge about obesity and MetS, leading to lower risk of developing MetS for both themselves and their children 17) . However, in our study, we did not find any associations between parental education and MetS itself.…”

Threat vigilance and socioeconomic disparities in metabolic health

“…The global prevalence of MetS is rising (Grundy, 2008) and disproportionately affects those from low SES backgrounds (Cornier et al, 2008; Saland, 2007). Extant evidence suggests that these metabolic health disparities begin in childhood (Faienza et al, 2016; Lehman et al, 2005; Pervanidou & Chrousos, 2012; Tamayo et al, 2010), and persist into adulthood (Choi et al, 2014; Gustafsson & Hammarström, 2012; Gustafsson et al, 2011; Lehman et al, 2005; Non et al, 2014; Tamayo et al, 2010). However, not all individuals from a low early life SES background go on to develop MetS, and much less is known about the vulnerability and protective factors that might moderate or mediate these risks.…”

“…Socioeconomic disparities in MetS prevalence have been observed worldwide, in both developed countries, such as the United States (Park et al, 2003), United Kingdom (Brunner et al, 1997), and Finland (Silventoinen, Pankow, Jousilahti, Hu, & Tuomilehto, 2005), and developing nations, such as Korea (Park, Yun, Lee, Cho, & Park, 2007) and Tunisia (Gannar et al, 2015). There is also increasing recognition that these disparities emerge early in life (Faienza, Wang, Fruhbeck, Garruti, & Portincasa, 2016; Pervanidou & Chrousos, 2012), and that early disadvantage forecasts adult patterns of disease (Choi, Lee, Chun, & Lee, 2014; Gustafsson & Hammarström, 2012; Gustafsson, Persson, & Om, 2011; Lehman, Taylor, Kiefe, & Seeman, 2005; Non et al, 2014; Tamayo, Christian, & Rathmann, 2010). Most studies, however, show that early life socioeconomic status (SES) predicts MetS independently of adult SES (Chichlowska et al, 2009; Langenberg, Kuh, Wadsworth, Brunner, & Hardy, 2006; Lawlor, Ebrahim, & Smith, 2002; Lehman et al, 2005; Non et al, 2014; Parker et al, 2003; Schooling et al, 2008, but see Lucove, Kaufman, & James, 2007, for a contrary result).…”