Insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome among non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women in North Taiwan.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and its related factors among non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women in North Taiwan.
Design: A cross-sectional study in a medical center in North Taiwan.
Subjects: Five hundred and ninety-four, non-diabetic middle-aged women (age range=40-64 years, mean=48.9+/-5.4 years) were recruited.
Measurements: The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipids levels and anthropometric indices were measured. The homeostasis model assessment was applied to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Panel (NCEP) criteria and modified NCEP criteria (waist circumference >80 cm).
Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 6.2% using NCEP criteria, and 8.9% using modified NCEP criteria. Post-menopausal women had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components compared to pre-menopausal women except hyperglycemia and low HDL-C. In multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and menopausal status, both BMI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with the metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in post-menopausal than pre-menopausal women. Both obesity and insulin resistance may play an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome among the middle-aged women in North Taiwan.