Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in young adults: a risk factor for future cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Aim To investigate a correlation between metabolic syndrome, especially waist circumference, and cardiovascular risk in young adults. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 137 patients under 50 years of age who visited the Family Medicine Service of Tuzla Health Centre. Data were collected from patient records and through physical examination. The National Institutes of Health Guidelines definition of MetS was used. For participants over 40 years of age, the 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated using SCORE2 tables. Results A total of 137 young adults participated in the study, with 66.4% females and 33.6% males. Mean BMI was 26.45±4.69 kg/m², and 60.6% were overweight or obese. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 29.93%. Waist circumference showed a moderate positive correlation with cardiovascular risk (r=0.40; p<0.001). Among participants under the age of 40, 20% already had metabolic syndrome, and 20% exhibited two or more risk factors. Conclusion The study found a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in young adults, with those diagnosed exhibiting a higher cardiovascular risk. Increased waist circumference was associated with higher cardiovascular risk. A significant proportion of participants under 40 showed cardiovascular risk compo-nents, emphasizing the need for early risk assessment in this age group. Early screening, particularly waist circumference measurement, is crucial for identifying those at risk and promoting lifestyle changes to reduce cardiovascular diseases.