Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in obese and non-obese South Indian adults: A population-based cross-sectional study

Background and aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors associated with various noncommunicable diseases, has traditionally been linked to obesity. However, recent studies have demonstrated high MetS prevalence among non-obese individuals, with evidence suggesting distinct patterns of lifestyle risk factors between obese and non-obese populations. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of MetS in non-obese individuals and investigate the independent associations between lifestyle risk factors and MetS in both obese and non-obese populations. Methods: A total of 443 participants were recruited, comprising 177 non-obese and 266 obese individuals in this study. Data were collected on family history, physical activity levels, smoking status, alcohol consumption patterns, and dietary intake of fruits and vegetables. Obesity was classified according to Asia-Pacific criteria, with non-obese defined as (BMI <25 Kg/m²). Results: MetS affected 58.91% of all study participants, with a substantial 40.7% occurrence, even among those who were not obese. The presence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) demonstrated a strong correlation with MetS, regardless of whether individuals were classified as obese or non-obese. Among obese participants, a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) showed a significant association with MetS, while in non-obese participants, sex and family history of T2DM were significantly associated with MetS. Conclusions: Our study population showed a notable prevalence of MetS, extending significantly beyond just those participants with obesity. This suggests the need for MetS screening in both obese and non-obese populations to ensure timely detection and management of MetS. (www.actabiomedica.it).