Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Animal and Nutritional Sciences

Committee Chair

Melissa Olfert

Abstract

The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is increasing throughout the United States across age groups. The purpose of this study was to collect descriptive baseline anthropometric and biochemical data to determine MetS prevalence in 18 to 24 year olds and to assess change in MetS risk after a 10 week web-based intervention. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) definition. Blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical measures were obtained at baseline, post-intervention and 15 months. The overall prevalence of MetS at baseline was 15.1% (n = 14). The prevalence of one or two components of MetS was 33.1% and 23.7%, respectively. Significant differences between male and females subjects were observed for elevated waist circumference (p = 0.0055), elevated blood pressure (p = 0.0075) and impaired fasting blood glucose measures (p = 0.0345). Of all MetS components, fasting blood glucose (p = 0.0318) measures exhibited the most notable decrease from baseline to post-intervention between the intervention and control group. Additional downward trends moving toward improvement were observed for several of the subjects in the intervention group exhibiting MetS risk from baseline to post-intervention, but this trend was not sustained at the 15 month follow-up. Due to the large percentage of individuals moving toward the onset of MetS, a more aggressive and specific behavior tailored intervention may have yielded better outcomes in this high risk population of subjects. Identification of MetS early in life is needed in order to reduce the onset of chronic disease. Therefore, implementing a screening process to identify at-risk young adults will help tailor more effective behavioral interventions.

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