Background: Several studies suggest that smoking is a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between smoking status and metabolic syndrome among Korean adults.
Methods: We assessed 4349 participants aged 19 years and older from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2013. Smoking statuses were collected from self-reported questionnaires. Subjects were divided into three categories: non-smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made using criteria modified NCEP-ATP III. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios between smoking status and metabolic syndrome. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 27.8% and former smokers had the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome at 30.7%. After adjustment for age, sex, alcohol consumption, physical activity and body mass index, the odds ratio for high density lipoprotein cholesterol disorder, triglyceride disorder, abdominal obesity in current smokers was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.02~1.54), 1.83 (95% CI, 1.48~2.26), and 1.35 (95% CI, 1.00~1.81) compared with non-smokers, respectively. For metabolic syndrome, the odds ratio in current smokers was 1.30 (95% CI, 1.02~1.68) compared with non-smokers.
Conclusion: Current smokers showed increased risk for metabolic syndrome. Smoking status was associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.