Gender-dependent associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the adult Saudi population.

Background: To determine the gender-dependent association of socio-economic status variables with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adult Saudi population.

Methods: A total of 9164 adult Saudis (aged 18-70 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Marital status, income, education, and occupation were used as socio-economic indicators while behavioral factor like physical exercise was also taken into account.

Severe hypovitaminosis D is widespread and more common in non-diabetics than diabetics in Saudi adults.

Objective: To compare the incidence of hypovitaminosis D in subjects, with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and determine its association to various risk factors.

Methods: Three hundred and forty-one (177 non-diabetic, and 164 T2DM) Saudi adults were included in this cross-sectional study conducted at the Biomarkers Research Program (BRP) of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from March to August 2009. Anthropometrics and fasting blood samples were obtained.