Association between Fish consumption and Metabolic Syndrome in women

Although fish consumption has inversely been associated with several metabolic abnormalities, limited and inconsistent data have reported the relationship between fish consumption and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to identify the association between fish consumption and metabolic syndrome and its components. In a cross-sectional study conducted on 420 Iranian female adults, usual fish consumption was assessed by the use of a dish-based semi-quantitative FFQ. Fasting blood samples were taken for biochemical assessment. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done according to standard protocols. The metabolic syndrome was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Mean daily intake of fish was 14.4 g/d. Fish consumption was inversely associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome; such that those in the highest tertile of fish intake were 65% less likely to have the metabolic syndrome than those in the lowest tertile (odds ratio: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14-0.88). Controlling for potential confounders and dietary variables strengthened this association (0.05; 0.004-0.64). Even when BMI was taken into account, individuals in the highest category of fish intake were 96% less likely to have metabolic syndrome compared with the lowest (0.04; 0.004-0.61). After adjustment for potential cofounders, high fish intake was inversely associated with lower odds of hypertriglyceridemia (0.11; 0.01, 0.85), low HDL-c (0.57; 0.19-0.89) and elevated blood pressure (0.23; 0.14-0.89). The current investigation indicates that increased fish intake was independently related to the lower risk of metabolic syndrome and its features. Further prospective investigations are warranted to confirm this association.