Betel-quid use, the forth addictive habit in the world after nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine use, and was widespread in southern Asia. Betel-quid use has been associated with obesity and hyperglycemia. It is a popular habit among aborigines in Taiwan. Little research describing the association of the betel-quid use contributes to the metabolic syndrome in aborigines in Taiwan.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult aborigines and to test whether betel-quid use contributes to the metabolic syndrome.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted and 558 aborigines, aged? 40 years who had undergone the health examination in a aboriginal health care center were recruited into this study. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). Information on substance use (betel-quid, cigarette, alcohol) and depression were obtained by performing personal interviews using a validated questionnaire.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult aborigines was 30.6%, the prevalence rate was significantly higher in women than that of men (34.1% compared with 24.1%, OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06-2.36). After covariate adjustment, betel-quid users were more likely to have metabolic syndrome (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.04-2.21). However, depression was not associated with metabolic syndrome.

These data suggest that betel-quid use is independently and positively associated with metabolic syndrome in adult aborigines.