Assessing Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome among Rural Older Adults

Objective: The elderly population is increasing in rural communities yet many rural elders have fewer resources and poorer mental and physical health than their urban counterparts. Rural elders are at a higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MSX), a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and mortality, which has been linked, to depression and cognitive impairment. This study assessed risk factors for MSX (elevated BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol) among rural elders. Method: An interdisciplinary healthcare team provided weekly behavioral and physical health screens to rural adults in four Alabama counties on a mobile unit. Results: A predominately African American sample of 384 adults aged 55 and older received health screens on the mobile unit. Results showed that 88% of rural adults had pre-hypertension or hypertension. Approximately 60% of the adults with complete data to assess MSX actually had the syndrome. MSX variables accounted for 65% of the variance in age, and systolic blood pressure and cholesterol significantly predicted age (R² = .653, F(4, 15) = 7.07, p < .01). Men aged 55-64 were more likely to be overweight and obese than other study participants (X²(4, n = 150) = 18.43, p = .001). Also, overweight women were more likely to have a higher systolic blood pressure than men (F(2, 244) = 7.40, p = .001). Conclusions: Rural elders are at increased risk of developing MSX. Using innovative methods such as mobile healthcare delivery is crucial to providing quality healthcare and health education to an underserved population.