Factors Associated with Metabolic Disorders Among Vegetable Farmers, Kuningan, West Java, Indonesia

¹ Doctoral Program of Public Health, Public Health Faculty, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
^2,3,4 Department of Environmental Health, Public Health Faculty, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: bibitnasrokhatundiniah@gmail.com

Abstract

Metabolic disorders encompass a wide range of conditions that disrupt normal metabolic processes and energy metabolism, including nutrient breakdown and utilisation. These disorders can be inherited or acquired and lead to various physical and physiological manifestations. This research aims to determine factors with incidence of metabolic disorders. This study employed a cross-sectional and was conducted in the area with the highest vegetable production in Kuningan, West Java in July - August 2024. A total of 45 male farmers were selected through stratified random sampling. Risk factors were assessed using a questionnaire, while the incidence of metabolic disorders was determined via laboratory tests with venous blood samples and physical measurements. Metabolic disorder parameters included triglyceride levels (TGL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting glucose, central obesity, blood pressure, dan metabolic syndrome. Data were analysed using categorical comparison tests, including chi-square and fisher exact test. The most common metabolic disorders among the farmers were increased blood pressure (30 participants) and decreased HDL (23 participants). There was a significant association between age group >60 years (p=0.009) and 40-60 years (p=0.048), and long-term residence and work with HDL levels (p=0.007); smoking behaviour with TGL levels (p=0.022); family history of cholesterol with blood pressure (p=0.015) and TGL levels (p=0.025); and pesticides spraying practices with TGL (p=0.014). No significant association was observed with metabolic syndrome (p>0.05). This study indicates that risk factors for metabolic disorders among farmers include lifestyle, occupational factors, and pesticide application. Dyslipidaemia (elevated TGL and reduced HDL) was the predominant type of metabolic disorders associated with the risk factors examined.