Comparison of meal frequencies, nutritional status, serum vitamin d levels and diet quality of adult individuals with and without metabolic syndrome

This study was conducted to compare meal frequency, serum vitamin D levels, nutritional status and diet quality of individuals with and without metabolic syndrome. The study was conducted with a total of 88 individuals aged between 18 and 65 years, 45 with MetS and 43 without MetS, who were admitted to a state hospital between February and August 2022. General characteristics and dietary habits of the individuals were determined with a questionnaire form applied by the researcher. A 3-day food consumption record was taken to determine daily energy and nutrient intake. Body composition was analyzed, and biochemical parameters were obtained. "Healthy Eating Index 2015" was used to assess diet quality and "International Physical Activity Questionnaire " was used for physical activity level. The mean age of those with MetS was 44.53±11.05 years and 37.09±11.64 years in those without MetS. Age was found to increase the risk of MetS by 1.1 times (OR: 1.100; 95% CI: 1.031-1.173). Body weight, body fat, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip and waist/height ratio were found to be higher in those with MetS (p<0,05). The mean BMI was 34.2±5.5 kg/m2 in those with MetS and 28.5±5.2 kg/m2 in those without MetS. BMI increased the risk of MetS 1.25-fold (OR: 1.253; 95% CI: 1.021-1.538). Meal frequency was similar between the two groups (p>0,05). Serum vitamin D level was 21.3±9.1 ng/dl in individual with MetS and 25.0±7.0 ng/dl in patients without MetS. Serum vitamin D level was negatively correlated with body weight, BMI, body fat and age (p<0,05). The 2015 SYIscore was in the range that needed to be improved (51-80 points) in both groups (51.3±12.2 with MetS; 51.1±10.1 without MetS) (p>0,05). Individuals with and without MetS who had diet quality that needed to be improved had lower waist circumference, TG, SBP and DBP parameters and higher HDL than individuals with poor diet quality (p<0,05). In conclusion, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip and waist/height ratio and serum vitamin D levels were found to be higher and serum vitamin D levels were found to be lower in individuals with MetS compared to individuals without MetS. It was found that the presence of low diet quality in individuals may be associated with MetS components. Adequate and balanced nutrition should be the basis of lifestyle changes, which is the most effective method in the prevention and treatment of MetS, and diet quality should be improved.