Factors associated with lifestyle practices for preventing cardiovascular disease in adults aware of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The global increase in metabolic syndrome (MetS) highlights the need for effective lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to identify factors associated with lifestyle behaviors for preventing CVD complications among adults aware of MetS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January to February 2023 among 1,000 South Korean adults aged 20-69 years. After excluding 212 participants unaware of MetS, 788 respondents were included, of whom 710 engaged in at least three of nine recommended lifestyle behaviors: smoking cessation, alcohol abstinence, body weight monitoring, waist circumference measurement, blood pressure monitoring, regular hospital visits, adequate sleep, adherence to a low-salt diet, and regular physical activity. Participants were categorized into those with one or more MetS risk factors (META) and those without (Non-META). RESULTS: participants with MetS risk factors were predominantly male and aged 50-69 years, while those without were more likely female and aged 20-39 years. Abdominal obesity was the most common risk factor, whereas waist circumference monitoring was the least practiced behavior. The META group showed higher rates of blood pressure monitoring and hospital visits, while the Non-META group reported more frequent smoking cessation and alcohol abstinence. CONCLUSION: Engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors was positively associated with female sex, older age, and higher awareness of MetS-related complications. The limited practice of waist circumference monitoring underscores the need for targeted education and personalized preventive strategies to enhance CVD risk reduction among individual aware of MetS.