Associations between the Practice of Health Behaviors and Awareness of Metabolic Syndrome among Adults (19-64 years) in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Area: 2010 Community Health Survey

= Abstract = Objective: This study was performed to identify associations between the practice of health behaviors and awareness of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among adults aged 19 to 64 years in the Gwangju-Jeonnam area. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2010 Community Health Survey (CHS). Health behaviors considered in this study were smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, low-salt diet, and perception of stress. The index for the health behaviors was calculated as the sum of the practice of each health behavior (range: 0-5). The analysis was weighted with a complex sampling design, and the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the association between the practice of health behaviors and awareness of MetS. Results: A total of 19.8% of the population were aware of MetS. The perception of MetS was statistically significantly associated with healthy behaviors, including nonsmoking (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.14-1.56), non-high-risk drinking (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.27-1.88), engagement in physical activity (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.28-1.72), and a low-salt diet (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.13-1.51). The ORs of the perception of MetS were significantly higher in patients with a health behavior index of 2 to 3 (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.01-2.66) and in those with an index of ≥4 (aOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.51-4.04) than in those with an index of 0. Among all health behaviors, physical activity had the highest OR for the perception of MetS (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.29-1.74). Conclusions: This study revealed associations between health behaviors, especially physical activity, and awareness of MetS. Therefore, integrated health promotion programs may be needed to enhance awareness of MetS and to effectively prevent MetS and non-communicable diseases.