Endocrinologie et syndrome métabolique
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Urbanization and Metabolic Syndrome in Cameroon: Alertness on Less Urbanised Areas

Ntentie FR, Ngondi JL, Azantsa KBG, Santy EV, Dimodi HT, Mbong AM-A, Chakokam NRM, Nguimkeng SB, Zambou H and Oben EJ

Aims: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide and constitutes one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated the effect of urbanization
process on the prevalence and risk factors of MetS in three different areas of Cameroon.

Methodology: A total of 5654 men and women were recruited (3512 in the urban area; 1683 in less urbanized and 459 in rural area) of 18 years and above. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile markers were analyzed and MetS was diagnosed using a slightly modified of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits were recorded using a questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of MetS significantly increased from (p<0.05) rural 7%, less urbanized areas 17.4% to urban area 12.7%. Women and persons of 50 years and above were the most affected (p<0.05). The prevalence of individual components of MetS such as hypertension (HTN) (32.2% for Systolic HTN ; 34.6% for Diastolic HTN) ; diabetes (6.5%) hypercholesterolemia (24%) and hypertriglyceridemia (24.9%) were significantly higher in less urbanized communities meanwhile overweight (65.5%) and abdominal obesity (49%) were more prevalent in urban city. Lifestyle habits were found modified. Low consumption or a real abandon of green vegetable sauces and fruits consumption was observed in the overall population. More than 45% participants living in urban area consumed green vegetable sauces at the frequency of at most once a week. Low physical activities 1.63 (1.27 - 2.09) (p<0.05) was the common risk factors of MetS among urban population

Conclusion: Urbanization influences the increasing prevalence of MetS in Cameroon. However, alertness should be on populations of less urbanized areas; more affected by the metabolic anomalies and MetS probably as a result of a poor sensitization and/or knowledge on nutritional diseases among the causes.