Relationship between a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Women

Taejeong  Jang; Hyesun  Kim; Taehui Kim

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12439

Taejeong Jang College of Nursing, Woosuk University, 443, Samnye-ro, Samnye-eup, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, South Korea
Hyesun Kim Department of Nursing, Joongbu University, 201 Daehak-ro, Chubu-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam, South Korea
Taehui Kim Department of Nursing, Joongbu University, 201 Daehak-ro, Chubu-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam, South Korea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12439

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Diet; Carbohydrate-restricted; High-fat; Nutritional intake; Women

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome with aging is higher in women than in men, and it increases after menopause. Interventions to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in women are important. A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet is effective in weight loss and improvement cardiovascular risk factors including abdominal circumference, blood pressure, and blood lipid profile. We aimed to determine the relationship between a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2014–2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Overall, 8,222 women aged >19 yr were included. The effect of a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet on the risk of metabolic syndrome was analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis using a complex sampling procedure.

Results: The diet significantly reduced the likelihood of metabolic syndrome development (P=0.044). In addition, regardless of the fat type, the diet significantly reduced the likelihood of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (low-carbohydrate, high-total fat, P=0.013; low-carbohydrate, high-unsaturated fat, P=0.006; low-carbohydrate, high-saturated fat, P=0.006).

Conclusion: A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet is an important intervention that can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, and the reduced consumption of carbohydrates can decrease the risk of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia regardless of fat type. Therefore, it is necessary to actively explore the potential of this diet, targeting Asians, including Koreans.