Volume 7, Issue 2, February – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Metabolic Syndrome Indicators in Semarang Health

Polytechnic Students During the Covid-19
Pandemic Period
Yuwono Setiadi Enik Sulistyowati
Semarang Health Polytechnic Semarang Health Polytechnic
Nutrition Department Nutrition Department
Indonesia Indonesia

Meirina Dwi Larasati

Semarang Health Polytechnic
Nutrition Department
Indonesia

Abstract:- Metabolic syndrome consists of a set of The pandemic directly affects a person's lifestyle,
symptoms including increased waist circumference, including eating habits, diet, and physical activity that will affect
increased blood triglyceride levels, decreased levels of high- physical and mental health. Restriction of these activities causes
density lipoprotein (HDL)-blood cholesterol, high blood irregular eating patterns so that there is an increase in energy
pressure, and glucose intolerance. Risk factors for intake and the risk of obesity. Emotional outbursts such as fear
metabolic syndrome include lifestyle (diet, alcohol and sadness related to the desire or motivation to eat can also
consumption, smoking, physical activity), socioeconomic pose a risk of obesity[2].
and genetics, as well as stress. This research is to determine
the determinants of the incidence of metabolic syndrome in Obesity is an indicator of metabolic syndrome,
Semarang Health Polytechnic students during the Covid19 dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia.
pandemic. The independent variable is physical activity, Epidemiological data states that 1 in 5 adults suffer from
and the dependent variable is a metabolic syndrome which metabolic syndrome. It is estimated that 20–25% of the adult
includes: waist circumference, BMI, blood glucose levels population suffers from metabolic syndrome. Data from the
and blood HDL. The research sample was 31 students. The Indonesian Obesity Study Association shows the prevalence of
results indicate that students of Semarang Health the metabolic syndrome is 13.13%. This situation then develops
Polytechnic are 70.97% in light activity; 77.45% with into cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and
average waist circumference; 87.10% with normal BMI, coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus and
74.19% in normal blood glucose and 35.48% with normal other diseases such as cancer[3].
blood HDL during the covid19 pandemic. However, there is
no relationship between physical activity carried out by Metabolic syndrome in recent years has become a global
Semarang Health Polytechnic students and changes in waist concern due to the increasing number of cases[5]. Metabolic
circumference, BMI, blood glucose and blood HDL during syndrome consists of symptoms, including an increase in waist
the covid19 pandemic. circumference, increased blood triglyceride levels, decreased
levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood cholesterol,
Keywords:- Metabolic Syndrome; Covid19 Pandemic; high blood pressure, and glucose intolerance[4]. The prevalence
Students; Physical Activity. of metabolic syndrome tends to vary due to differences in the
criteria set by several world institutions. The bodies include
I. INTRODUCTION WHO, IDF (International Diabetes Federation), and NCEP-ATP
III (The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult
Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) is a disease caused Treatment Panel III)[6].
by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) since December 2019 and
was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization Based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria, the diagnosis of
(WHO). The pandemic conditions limit a person's space to stay metabolic syndrome can be made if at least three of the five
at home to prevent the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 criteria for metabolic syndrome. The five criteria for metabolic
pandemic has resulted in students doing all activities at home, syndrome are central obesity, increased blood pressure,
such as online lectures. Feeling bored must be experienced by increased blood glucose, increased triglycerides and decreased
students because they have been sitting at home for too long. Not HDL cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein)[7].
to mention, according to them, lecturers continuously give
assignments, so indirectly, it becomes psychological pressure Based on the things above, researchers are interested in
for the students[1]. conducting research on indicators of metabolic syndrome in
college students during the COVID19 pandemic. For
policymakers, the results of this study are expected to be input

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Volume 7, Issue 2, February – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
into the metabolic syndrome prevention and control program presence of some people who have an abnormal waist
during the COVID19 pandemic. circumference can be due to the consumption of fat that is in the
composition of the daily menu. A person can also be caused by
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS a lack of activity in their daily lives. Respondents in this study
had activities classified as light, as many as 22 people (70.79%).
This research is a descriptive-analytic study. The research
design used was cross-sectional, namely the independent A person's light physical activity causes the energy
variables (cause) and the dependent variable (effect) collected at produced from their daily food not to be released so that the
the same time[8]. The independent variables are physical energy will form fat. In contrast to those who often do strenuous
activity, and the dependent variable is metabolic syndrome activities, heavy physical activity it allows energy that enters the
which includes: waist circumference, BMI, blood glucose levels body to be released through physical activity so that fat is not
and blood HDL. The sample size used in this study was 31 formed in the body[9].
respondents determined by calculating weight, height and Z-
score using WHO Anthroplus software. Waist circumference 27 respondents (87.10%) in this study had a body mass
data was obtained by measuring the sample closest to the index (BMI) which was classified as normal, while the other 4
sample. Data on blood glucose and HDL levels were obtained people had an abnormal BMI (obesity). A person's BMI is
from capillary blood measurements by health workers at the closely related to fat tissue. To assess the degree of fat tissue,
health clinic closest to the sample house. Some were examined waist circumference measurements can be carried out because
in the laboratory of the Health Analyst Department of Health fat accumulation is around the pelvis and waist, indicating
Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Semarang. Physical central obesity). Waist circumference has a high correlation with
activity data were taken using the International Physical Activity intra-abdominal fat [10]. Fat deposits in a person's body can also
Questionnaires (IPAQ) method. Participants record the activities be caused by a lack of activity in their daily lives. Respondents
carried out in a day for one week. in this study had activities classified as light, as many as 22
people (70.79%). A person's light physical activity causes the
Univariate analysis was carried out to describe the energy produced from their daily food not to be released so that
characteristics of the sample, which included: gender, physical the energy will form fat. In contrast to those who often do
activity, waist circumference, BMI, blood glucose levels and strenuous activities, the heavy physical activity allows energy
blood HDL. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the that enters the body to be released through physical activity so
relationship between the two variables. The independent that fat is not formed in the body9. Most of the respondents had
variable is physical activity. The dependent variable is the normal fasting blood glucose levels, as many as 23 people
metabolic syndrome which includes: waist circumference, BMI, (74.19%). According to the International Diabetes Federation,
blood glucose levels and blood HDL. In this bivariate analysis, fasting blood glucose levels are a component of metabolic
the variables were tested using the chi-square test with = 0.05. syndrome. Fasting blood glucose level < 100 mg/dL is
categorized as normal. Some respondents' abnormal fasting
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION blood glucose levels could be due to respondents frequently
consuming high-calorie foods. The wrong diet can cause an
The following section describes the result and discussion increase in blood glucose levels which can increase the risk of
of the study. insulin resistance in adolescents with central obesity.

A. Univariate Test Results Sufficient physical activity can increase membrane

Most of the respondents in this study were female, namely permeability to increase blood flow, thereby opening more
23 people (74.19%), while the remaining 8 people were male capillary membranes so that insulin receptors become active,
(25.81%). 22 respondents (70.79%) had relatively light daily which will affect blood glucose levels. Calories stored in the
activities. A person's light physical activity causes the energy body are the main factors causing pancreatic dysfunction [11].
produced from their daily food not to be released so that the
energy will form fat. In contrast to those who often do strenuous Research respondents who had normal HDL levels in their
activities, the heavy physical activity allows energy that enters blood were 11 people (35.48%), while 20 respondents had
the body to be released through physical activity so that fat is not abnormal HDL levels in their blood. The increase in HDL levels
formed in the body [9]. Lack of physical activity also increases in the blood is strongly influenced by the consumption of food
the risk of suffering from hypertension because it increases sources of fat, especially foods with a fairly high content of
being overweight. Inactive people also tend to have a higher unsaturated fatty acids, especially fat sources derived from
heart rate, so the heart muscle has to work harder with each vegetable ingredients. The more frequent consumption of fatty
contraction. The more complicated and the more often the heart foods with unsaturated bonds, the lower the blood's HDL levels.
muscle has to pump, the greater the pressure placed on the HDL cholesterol plays a role in transporting cholesterol in
arteries. the walls of blood vessels back to the liver.

In relation to the incidence of waist circumference, fat HDL can prevent the accumulation of lipids in blood
accumulated is around the abdominal cavity and deposits in the vessels. HDL will suck up the cholesterol deposits in the tissue
body. 24 respondents (77.45%) in this study had an average and then throw it into the bile. An increase in HDL levels is an
waist circumference, while 7 (22.55%) were abnormal. The

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Volume 7, Issue 2, February – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
essential indicator of a reduced risk of CHD. HDL is protective Fat deposits in a person's body can also be caused by a lack
against the occurrence of atherosclerosis [12]. of activity in their daily lives. A person's light physical activity
causes the energy produced from their daily food not to be
In addition, physical activity can also increase high-density released so that the energy will form fat; in contrast to those who
lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol levels, so it is very beneficial often do strenuous activities, heavy physical activity allows
in patients with hypercholesterolemia. A similar conclusion was energy that enters the body to be released through physical
put forward by other scholars on their research subjects aged activity so that fat is not formed in the body[9]. Although
12-19 years. The high risk of HDL cholesterol and triglyceride research shows that there are also respondents who have
levels will decrease with an increase in the number of minutes abnormal waist circumferences, this is not solely due to a lack
of moderate to heavy physical activity[13]. of activity during the COVID-19 pandemic but due to other
factors, such as genetics and waist circumference. From the Chi-
B. Bivariate Analysis Test Results Square test results with a 95% confidence level, we got a p-value
The effect of physical activity on the waist circumference of of 0.658 (higher than 0.05) which means there is no
Semarang Health Polytechnic students during the Covid19 effect/relationship between physical activity and an increase in
Pandemic is presented in Table 1. the incidence of changes in Body Mass Index (BMI).

TABLE 1. EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON The effect of physical activity on fasting blood sugar of
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE Semarang Polytechnic students during the Covid19 Pandemic is
Activity Waist size P- presented in Table 3.
value
Normal Abnormal TABLE 3. EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON
Light 5 16 1.000 FASTING BLOOD SUGAR
Medium- 3 7 Activity BMI P-
Heavy value
Normal Abnormal
Concerning the incidence of waist circumference, the fat Light 5 17 0.540
stored is fat around the abdominal cavity. Abnormal waist Medium- 3 6
circumference can be caused by fat consumption on the daily Heavy
menu. Besides that, fat deposits in a person's body can also be
caused by a lack of activity in daily life. A person's light physical Sufficient physical activity can increase membrane
activity causes the energy produced from their daily food not to permeability to increase blood flow, thereby opening more
be released so that the energy will form fat. In contrast to those capillary membranes so that insulin receptors become active,
who often do strenuous activities, heavy physical activity allows which will affect blood glucose levels. Calories stored in the
energy that enters the body to be released through physical body are the main factors causing pancreatic dysfunction [11].
activity so that fat is not formed in the body[9]. Although
research shows some respondents are with abnormal waist The Chi-Square test results with a 95% confidence level
circumferences, this is not solely due to lack of activity during obtained a p-value of 0.540 which means there is no
the COVID-19 pandemic but because of other factors, such as effect/relationship between physical activity and blood sugar
genetics. From the Chi-Square test results with a 95% levels. The absence of this relationship could be because many
confidence level, we got a p-value of 1.000 (higher than 0.05) respondents who took part in the study had relatively light daily
which means there is no effect/relationship between physical activities.
activity and an increase in the incidence of changes in waist
circumference. The effect of physical activity on blood HDL of Semarang
Polytechnic students during the covid19 pandemic is presented
The effect of physical activity on BMI of Semarang Health in Table 4.
Polytechnic students during the Covid-19 pandemic is presented
in Table 2. TABLE 4. EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON
BLOOD HDL
TABLE 2. EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON BMI Activity BMI P-
Activity BMI P- value
value Normal Abnormal
Normal Abnormal Light 11 7 0.641
Light 9 12 0.658 Medium- 9 4
Medium- 6 4 Heavy
Heavy
A person's BMI is closely related to fat tissue. To assess The results of the previous study [13] on the research
the degree of fat tissue, waist circumference measurements can subjects aged 12-19 years stated that physical activity could
be carried out because fat accumulation is around the pelvis and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol levels so
waist, indicating central obesity. Waist circumference has a high that it is very beneficial in patients with hypercholesterolemia
correlation with intra-abdominal fat[10]. [12]. However, the Chi-Square test results with a 95%

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Volume 7, Issue 2, February – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
confidence level obtained a p-value of 0.641, which means that [7]. Al-Thani MH, Cheema S, Sheikh J, Mamtani R,
there is no effect/relationship between physical activity and Lowenfels AB, Al-Chetachi WF, Almalki BA, Khalifa
respondents' blood HDL levels. The absence of this relationship SA, Bakri AO, Maisonneuve P. Prevalence and
could be because many respondents who took part in the study determinants of metabolic syndrome in Qatar: Results
had relatively light daily activities. from a National Health Survey. BMJ Open. 2016 Sep
1;6(9):e009514.
IV. CONCLUSIONS [8]. Kot S, Rajiani I. Testing and identifying variable
dependency through the Fisher exact test in central Europe
Semarang Health Polytechnic students who had light enterprises. Ekonomicko-manazerske spektrum.
activities during the COVID-19 pandemic were 22 people 2020;14(1):10-8.
(70.97%). Students who have average waist circumference [9]. Hartono R, Wijayati S, Rajiani I. The role of physical
during the covid19 pandemic are 24 people (77.45%). Further, activity in determining the level of older people's
students with an average BMI during the covid19 pandemic are depression. Indian Journal of Public Health Research &
27 people (87.10%). Those who had normal blood glucose levels Development. 2019 Mar 1;10(3).
during the covid19 pandemic are 23 people (74.19%). Finally, [10]. Darsini D, Hamidah H, Notobroto HB, Cahyono EA.
among respondents, students who had normal blood HDL levels Health risks associated with high waist circumference: A
during the covid19 pandemic were 11 people (35.48%). systematic review. Journal of Public Health Research.
However, there is no relationship between physical activity 2020 Jul 3;9(2).
carried out by Semarang Health Polytechnic students with [11]. Mandaliya DK, Seshadri S. Short Chain Fatty Acids,
changes in waist circumference, BMI, blood glucose and blood pancreatic dysfunction and type 2 diabetes.
HDL. There is a need for further research with a larger sample Pancreatology. 2019 Jun 1;19(4):617-22.
size by also considering genetic factors. [12]. Ossoli A, Pavanello C, Giorgio E, Calabresi L,
Gomaraschi M. Dysfunctional HDL as a therapeutic target
ACKNOWLEDGMENT for atherosclerosis prevention. Current medicinal
chemistry. 2019 Mar 1;26(9):1610-30.
The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Health [13]. Hernáez Á, Soria-Florido MT, Castañer O, Pintó X,
Polytechnic Semarang Indonesia for facilitating this project. Estruch R, Salas-Salvadó J, Corella D, Alonso-Gómez Á,
Martínez-González MÁ, Schröder H, Ros E. Leisure time
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