In this cross-sectional study, data was gathered from apparently healthy employed adults aged 25 to 45 years (both male and female) from September 2016 to February 2017. Out of 10 private/government organizations approached, four organizations (two private and two government) gave permission to conduct the study. The sample size was statistically computed on the basis of the prevalence of MS among adults in urban Delhi [9], considering 95% confidence levels, relative precision of 5% and a dropout rate of 20%.

Inclusion criteria: Age 25-45 years, no prior history of any disease. Employed adults willing to volunteer for the study were enlisted; out of which 200 adults were enrolled by purposive sampling. Health camps were organised to collect data at the concerned organizations. Subjects were enrolled only after clearly stating the aim, purpose and the motive of the study. At the end of it, only those who gave a written consent to participate in the study were selected. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, India.

Data Collection: Prior to data collection, pre-testing of questionnaire was done (n=20), which were excluded from the actual analysis. Information about sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, religion, marital status, family type, etc.,), family history, brief dietary details (dietary pattern, frequently consumed foods etc.,), physical activity pattern, smoking and alcohol status was gathered with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire schedule. Anthropometric (height, weight and waist circumference), blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) and biochemical parameters (lipid profile and fasting glucose) were also assessed as discussed below. Consumption of any junk foods like deep fried snacks, pizzas, burgers, chips and cold drinks twice or more in a week was considered to assess the junk food consumption. The WHO-GPAQ version 2.0 instruments were used to measure physical activity in three domains: work, transportation and leisure, respectively. Following the GPAQ analysis guide, the level of physical activity was classified as low, moderate and high based on MET – minutes/week.

Anthropometric measurements: Standing body height was measured with a commercial stadiometer in cm (to the nearest 0.5 cm). A digital scale, with an accuracy of 100 g was used to measure body weight and was recorded in kg. Waist circumference was measured in a horizontal plane, midway between the inferior margin of the ribs and the superior border of the iliac crest, using a standard inelastic measuring tape. Measurements were taken thrice and the mean was taken in all cases. All instruments used for measurement were calibrated twice weekly. BMI (kg/m²) was calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by the square of height (in m). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured using a standard sphygmomanometer with adult cuffs and recorded in mmHg. The measurements were repeated twice at an interval of 3 minutes in the sitting position and the mean was taken.

Biochemical measurements: Blood samples (5 ml) were drawn from the mid-cubital vein after 12 hours overnight fasting for measurement of lipid profile {Total Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol, and triglycerides} and fasting plasma glucose levels. Plasma glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase peroxidase method; serum TC and triglycerides by standard enzymatic procedures; and HDL cholesterol by direct assay method. They were recorded in mg/dl. Blood samples were obtained by trained technician and the analysis was conducted under standardized procedures in ISO 9001: 2001 certified laboratory.

Operational definition of MS: MS was diagnosed using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program—Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criterion, which considers ethnic differences in central obesity [Table/Fig-1] [1]. Obesity was measured in term of waist circumference and the BMI classification as given for Asians [11].

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 program (Statistical Package for Social Sciences; SPSS). Mean and standard deviations were derived for numerical data. Prevalence is reported in percentages. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to measure the association of conventional cardiovascular risk factors (independent variables) with MS (dependent variable).

The present study was done to ascertain the prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors among employed adults of urban Delhi, India. General characteristics of the study population are represented in [Table/Fig-2]. The age of the study population ranged from 25 to 45 years. Subjects were employed adults, with mean age of 34.3±7.2 years. Out of 200 adults, 102 were males (51%) and 98 were females (49%). BMI ranged from 16.4-35.96 with mean value of 25.5±4.4 SD, mean SBP/DBP was 127.8±12.7 SD/ 82.3±9.1 SD (mmHg) indicating that the study population was predominantly obese and pre-hypertensive. Adults in the study had abnormal lipid profile with higher triglycerides mean value of 156.2±54.9 mg/dl, HDL ranged from 30.4-81.6 (mean 43.6±6.6) mg/dl and fasting glucose had maximum range of 260.4 mg/dl (Range: 56-260.4 mg/ dl, mean 88.9±27.3), indicating the presence of unknown diabetics in the study [Table/Fig-2].

Metabolic Syndrome: The prevalence of various components of MS were analysed and found to be statistically significant (p-value<0.05). About 62% of the working adults were observed to have MS. Prevalence of MS among males (66.6%) was more in comparison to females (57%).

A 50.5% of the subjects (49% males, 52% females) had waist circumference higher than the NCEP ATP III Criteria. Abnormal blood pressure was significantly prevalent (p-value <0.005) in 39% of subjects, 56.5% of the subjects had abnormal triglyceride levels.

As evident from [Table/Fig-3], abnormal lipid profile and blood glucose levels were found more in females than in male adults. About 62% of study population had low HDL levels, 50.5% of the population had high waist circumference. Thirty-eight males (37%) and 40 females (41%) were identified in hypertensive range. Elevated triglyceride levels in males were 41% while in females it was 72%. Reduced HDL cholesterol in males were 38% (<40 mg/ dl), while 87% of females had HDL cholesterol <50 mg/dl. Abnormal fasting glucose values were not as prevalent as abnormal lipid profile among working adults. Elevated fasting glucose values of >100 mg/dl were found in 10% of males and 11% of females.

It was found that 32.8% of the subjects had low, 60.4% had moderate and only 7.0% had high physical activity. Males were found to be more physically active in comparison to females. It was found that sedentary lifestyle among employed adults was one of the significant risk factors for the prevalence of cardio-metabolic disease . This was also associated with smoking (17.6%, p<0.001) and drinking (18%, p<0.001) [Table/Fig-3].

Gender-wise distribution of subjects on the basis of the prevalence of various diagnostic components of MS [Table/Fig-4] shows that out of 200 subjects, 28% were diagnosed with three components of MS. A 34% subjects had more than three common components of MS. A 21% subjects had two diagnostic risk components prevalent and thus they were at risk of having MS just with mere addition of any one more component. It was found that 66.6% of males had three or more than three risk factors in common in comparison to females (57.2%). Although percentage prevalence of individual components of MS were more common in males rather than females but females (22.4%) were at a higher risk of having MS with two pre-existing components rather than males (18.6%).

High BMI (p-value<0.05) contributed significantly towards the development of MS. Nearly 54.5% of employed adults were obese and 17% were overweight. About 78% obese individuals had MS and 14.7% were on the verge of being obese with two prevalent components of MS. Total 39% normal and 26.5% overweight subjects had two out of five MS components prevalent and thus were at risk of developing CVD [Table/Fig-5].

Sedentary lifestyle among employed adults is one of the significant risk factors for the prevalence of overweight/obesity and cardio- metabolic risk factors [9,10]. In the present study, low physical activity was negatively correlated with increased BMI (p<0.005) indicating high cardio-metabolic risk among employed urban adults.

The development of obesity, or more specially an increase in abdominal fat, is thought to be the primary event in the progression of metabolic risk factors. Asian Indians have been shown to have tendency to develop central obesity [4,5]. In our study, abdominal obesity i.e. waist circumference >90 cms in males (49%) and >80 cms in females (52%), was reported in half of the subjects (p-value < 0.05).

Prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors is escalating in urban India [9,10]. Present study revealed high prevalence of MS among working adults (62%). Prevalence of MS among males (66.6%) was higher than females (57.2%) of 25 to 45 years of age.

The present study indicates a strong association between obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension (p-value < 0.05). The findings of the study are concurrent to other studies indicating high prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among employed adults [2,3,8,10].

According to a study conducted by Ervin RB [12], there were differences in the prevalence of each of the individual risk factors by gender. These findings were in concordance with the present study. Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in males but individual cardio-metabolic risk factors were higher in females in comparison to males.

In summary, abdominal obesity, high TG levels, hypertension, low HDL levels were the major components of MS among urban employed adults. Our findings corroborate the general conception that prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors is increasing among employed adults in urban India [6,8-10].

We need to address the link between sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating, obesity and other prevailing cardio-metabolic risk factors which contribute to high disability rates among the employed adult population in urban India. Healthy behaviours and intervention at early stage is priority to reduce the risk of developing CVDs in adult life.

Standardized data collection protocols were used in the study. The response rate of the subjects was very high (98%). In the present study, subjects with lipid abnormalities in MS were given first line of therapy i.e., lifestyle modifications along with dietary counselling and physical activity.

The focus of the present study was to assess the prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors among working adults, therefore, 10 year and lifetime cardiovascular risk was not calculated for the subjects. Although, CVD risk score would have given better understanding of the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in urban India.

Job stress is one of the leading factor for poor lifestyle choices. Data on job stress for the subjects were collected and positively correlated with cardio-metabolic syndrome but could not support the present research article as it is reported elsewhere.