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Weight Gain Predicts Metabolic Syndrome among North Korean Refugees in South Korea

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  • Yoon Jung Kim

    (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24253, Korea)

  • Yo Han Lee

    (Graduate School of Public Health, Ajou University, Suwon 16500, Korea
    Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16500, Korea
    Ajou Institute of Korean Unification and Health Care, Suwon 16500, Korea)

  • Yun Jeong Lee

    (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Anyang Sam Hospital, Anyang 14030, Korea)

  • Kyeong Jin Kim

    (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Sin Gon Kim

    (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

Abstract

Previous cross-sectional studies showed that immigrants from low-income to high-income countries have higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated the association between weight gain during the resettlement in South Korea and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among North Korean refugees (NKRs) in this cross-sectional study. In total, 932 NKRs aged 20–80 years in South Korea voluntarily underwent health examination from 2008 to 2017. We compared the risk of MetS and its components between the weight gain group (gained ≥5 kg) and the non-weight gain group (gained <5 kg, maintained or lost body weight) during resettlement in South Korea after defection from North Korea. Multiple logistic regression analysis predicted odds ratio of MetS on the basis of weight change, adjusting for covariates and current body mass index (BMI). We also evaluated the difference in body composition of NKRs between two groups. The prevalence of MetS in the weight gain group was 26%, compared to 10% in the non-weight gain group ( p -value < 0.001). The weight gain group had a two-fold higher risk of MetS than the non-weight gain group after adjusting for current BMI (odds ratio 1.875, p -value = 0.045). The prevalence of central obesity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated blood pressure, and hypertriglyceridemia were higher in the weight gain group than the non-weight gain group (36% vs. 12%, p -value < 0.001; 32% vs. 19%, p -value < 0.001; 34 vs. 25%, p -value = 0.008; 19% vs. 13%, p -value = 0.025, respectively). The analysis of body composition showed that the percentage of body fat in the weight gain group was higher than in the non-weight gain group, indicating increased fat mass rather than muscle mass in the weight gain group as their body weight increased during resettlement (33.4 ± 6.53% vs. 28.88 ± 7.40%, p < 0.005). Excess weight gain after defection from North Korea increased the risk of MetS among NKRs in South Korea. It is necessary to monitor weight change among NKRs and their effect on their metabolic health in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoon Jung Kim & Yo Han Lee & Yun Jeong Lee & Kyeong Jin Kim & Sin Gon Kim, 2021. "Weight Gain Predicts Metabolic Syndrome among North Korean Refugees in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8479-:d:612329
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yoon Jung Kim & Sin Gon Kim & Yo Han Lee, 2018. "Prevalence of General and Central Obesity and Associated Factors among North Korean Refugees in South Korea by Duration after Defection from North Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Sook Ja Yang & Yeon Kyung Chee & Jung A Kim & Jisook An, 2014. "Metabolic syndrome and its related factors among Asian immigrant women in Korea," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 373-380, September.
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