Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Change Before and After the COVID-19 Epidemic: Using Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2021

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Objectives: In this study, we aim to investigate changes in the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome before and after the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using data from the 2018-2021 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and 21,159 people were selected for analysis. SPSS version 29.0 program was used to analyze data, and frequency analysis and chi-square test were performed to determine the frequency and ratio of demographic and health behavioral factors before and after the COVID-19 epidemic, and the distribution of metabolic syndrome prevalence. The risk of occurrence by metabolic syndrome prevalence factor was analyzed through logistic regression. Results: As a result of the study, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased after the COVID-19 epidemic, and among the five diagnostic criteria, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol, excluding blood pressure, increased significantly. In addition, the risk of metabolic syndrome was 1.16 times higher after the COVID-19 epidemic compared to before, and even after controlling for variables such as demographic factors, it was significantly higher at 1.14 times compared to before. Conclusions: Through this study, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased during the COVID-19 epidemic due to changes in lifestyle habits, such as decreased activity. If times like the COVID-19 epidemic repeat in the future, we recommend adding and promoting measures that can help manage chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome when creating national action guidelines to prevent infectious diseases.