2.3. Definition of Confounders and Noncommunicable Diseases

Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, and obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Hypertension was considered present if subjects showed office systolic blood pressure (sBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (dBP) ≥ 90 mmHg in a seated position after a few minutes of rest or had taken antihypertensive agents. DM was considered present if subjects showed glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 6.5% or had taken oral antihyperglycemic agents and/or insulin. The assessment of dyslipidemia (DL) was performed on participants in a fasting state (≥10 h). DL was considered present if subjects showed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥ 140 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 40 mg/dL, triglycerides (TG) ≥ 150 mg/dL, or had antihyperlipidemic agents. MetS was considered present if subjects had waist circumference ≥ 85 cm in males or ≥90 cm in females and had two or more of the following traits: (1) sBP/dBP ≥ 130/85 mmHg or having taken antihypertensive drugs, (2) fasting glucose ≥ 100 or having received treatment for DM, and (3) fasting HDL ≤ 40 mg/dL, TG ≥ 150 mg/dL or having received treatment for DL.