The Relationship between Snacking and Risk of Individual Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Normal-weight Adults: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Developing obesity-related metabolic disturbances in spite ofhaving normal weight is increasing in normal-weight people worldwide. Thisstudy aimed to evaluate the relationship between different types of snacking andrisk of individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in normal-weightadults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a randomizedsample of 328 normal-weight individuals (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2) older than20 years in Ahvaz, Iran. Anthropometric indices, systolic and diastolic bloodpressure, lipid profile and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. MetScomponents were chosen based on the definition of international diabetesfederation (IDF). Dietary intake was evaluated by a validated 50-item nonquantitativeFFQ. Snacks were defined as energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods aswell as low energy-dense and high-fiber foods. Results: Males had significantlyhigher rates of elevated FBG and triglyceride (TG), whereas higher rates ofabdominal obesity and low HDL-c were observed in females. Older participantswith lower education showed higher percentages in most of the MetS components. The occurrence of abdominal obesity and hypertension increased inthe third compared to the first tertile category of supermarket cakes andbiscuits (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02 – 1.49) and chocolate (OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.03-1.18), respectively. However, other snacks showed no significantrelationship. Conclusions: The consumption of unhealthy snacks with high fat,sugar, and refined carbohydrates in forms of supermarket cakes and biscuits aswell as low-flavanol content chocolate products are the major dietary snackinghabits contributing to abdominal obesity and hypertension in normal-weightadults in southwest of Iran.