Table 4 Multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for metabolic syndrome across tertiles of snack foods intake among participants with different socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and age groups

Lower-educated

Higher-educated

T1

T2

T3

T1

T2

T3

Biscuit and cakes

1

1.24 (0.97–1.58)

1.24 (097–1.59)

0.95 (0.68–1.33)

0.87 (0.59–1.28)

1.41 (0.92–2.07)

Candies and chocolate

1

1.38 (1.09–1.75)

1.36 (1.07–1.73)

1.05 (0.74–1.49)

1.20 (0.85–1.71)

1.05 (0.71–1.55)

Salty snacks

1

1.00 (0.78–1.29)

1.01 (0.78–1.31)

0.90 (0.63–1.30)

0.85 (0.60–1.20)

0.91 (0.63–1.31)

Total snack foods

1

1.22 (0.95–1.58)

1.27 (0.99–1.65)

0.92 (0.62–1.35)

0.91 (0.63–1.31)

1.32 (0.97–2.00)

Non-employed

Employed

T1

T2

T3

T1

T2

T3

Biscuit and cakes

1

1.06 (0.79–1.42)

1.29 (0.95–1.75)

0.89 (0.64–1.25)

1.16 (0.85–1.59)

1.18 (0.87–1.60)

Candies and chocolate

1

1.33 (0.99–1.33)

1.43 (1.05–1.93)

1.05 (0.75–1.46)

1.38 (1.01–1.89)

1.23 (0.89–1.69)

Salty snacks

1

0.98 (0.72–1.33)

1.01 (0.73–1.37)

0.99 (0.71–1.41)

0.96 (0.68–1.35)

0.99 (0.73–1.38)

Total snack foods

1

1.05 (0.77–1.42)

1.35 (0.98–1.84)

0.90 (0.64–1.27)

1.18 (0.85–1.63)

1.12 (0.79–1.54)

Smoker

Non-smoker

T1

T2

T3

T1

T2

T3

Biscuit and cakes

1

0.83 (0.53–1.29)

1.21 (0.81–1.82)

0.76 (0.54–1.08)

0.95 (0.67–1.34)

0.99 (0.70–1.40)

Candies and chocolate

1

1.42 (0.93–2.16)

1.25 (0.79–1.96)

0.90 (0.63–1.31)

1.19 (0.82–1.71)

1.17 (0.80–1.70)

Salty snacks

1

1.05 (0.69–1.59)

0.89 (0.57–1.39)

0.81 (0.59–1.15)

0.88 (0.62–1.25)

0.90 (0.63–1.28)

Total snack foods

1

1.20 (0.78–1.83)

1.14 (0.73–1.77)

0.81 (0.56–1.15)

0.99 (0.69–1.42)

1.14 (0.81–1.67)

Low PAL

Medium and high PAL

T1

T2

T3

T1

T2

T3

Biscuit and cakes

1

1.37 (1.02–1.84)

1.33 (0.98–1.80)

0.91 (0.62–1.31)

0.93 (0.63–1.36)

0.93 (0.64–1.33)

Candies and chocolate

1

1.42 (1.06–1.90)

1.46 (1.08–1.96)

0.96 (0.66–1.40)

0.99 (0.68–1.44)

0.94 (0.65–1.36)

Salty snacks

1

0.99 (0.72–1.35)

1.09 (0.79–1.49)

0.79 (0.54–1.16)

0.75 (0.51–1.09)

0.77 (0.52–1.13)

Total snack foods

1

1.45 (1.06–1.97)

1.75 (1.28–2.40)

0.98 (0.67–1.44)

1.12 (0.75–1.67)

1.06 (0.73–1.54)

Aged 18–40 year

Aged ≥ 41 year

T1

T2

T3

T1

T2

T3

Biscuit and cakes

1

0.94 (0.72–1.23)

0.94 (0.71–1.26)

1.98 (1.34–2.91)

2.22 (1.70–2.91)

2.72 (2.14–3.47)

Candies and chocolate

1

1.29 (0.98–1.69)

1.31 (0.98–1.74)

2.59 (1.89–3.55)

3.31 (2.49–4.40)

3.00 (2.29–3.94)

Salty snacks

1

0.93 (0.72–1.20)

1.01 (0.75–1.37)

1.78 (1.13–2.81)

1.95 (1.47–2.60)

2.01 (1.59–2.54)

Total snack foods

1

1.04 (0.81–1.35)

0.97 (0.71–131)

1.93 (1.17–3.17)

2.14 (1.62–2.82)

2.89 (2.28–3.64)