Differential association of dietary carbohydrate intake with metabolic syndrome in the US and Korean adults: data from the 2007–2012 NHANES and KNHANES

The risk factors for metabolic syndrome may differ between Western and Asian countries due to their distinct dietary cultures. However, few studies have directly compared macronutrient

intake and its association with the risk of metabolic syndrome in the US and Korean adults using national survey data.

Based on the data from the US and Korean versions of the 2007–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, KNHANES), a total of 3,324 American and 20,515 Korean adults were

included. In both countries, dietary intake was measured using a 24-h dietary recall method and metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult

Treatment Panel III criteria.

The percentages of energy intake from carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 50:16:33 in the US adults and 66:15:19 in the Korean adults. Regarding metabolic abnormalities, Korean adults in the

highest quintile of carbohydrate intake showed an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in men and women, with abnormalities of reduced HDL cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels. In

contrast, the US men showed no significant association with metabolic syndrome and its abnormalities, while the US women showed an increased risk of reduced HDL cholesterol and elevated

triglycerides.

A high carbohydrate intake is associated with metabolic abnormalities. As Korean adults consume more carbohydrate than American adults, stronger associations of dietary carbohydrate with

metabolic syndrome were observed. Thus, further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of different contributors to developing metabolic disease in Western and Asian

populations.

This work is carried out with the support of a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2017R1A2B1008420).

Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Extension Unit 4017, Storrs, CT, 06269-4017, USA

Major of Food and Nutrition, School of Human Ecology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14662, Republic of Korea

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