Relevance of health-related quality of life, metabolic syndrome, and lifestyle in workers

Objective Given the declining birthrate and aging society, extending healthy life expectancy by improving lifestyle habits to prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS) and maintain health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) has become a critical public health priority. Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, this study examined the relationships among lifestyle habits, MetS status, and HR-QOL.Methods Participants included 1,393 workers (1,077 males, mean age 48.7 ± 9.2 years; 316 females, mean age 45.4 ± 8.6 years). HR-QOL was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire, yielding the physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and role/social component summary scores. Relationships between HR-QOL, MetS classification, and related indicators (body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were analyzed. Additionally, associations between HR-QOL and lifestyle habits, such as weight gain since age 20, eating habits (eating speed, snacking, dinner within 2 h before bedtime, skipping breakfast), chewing conditions, physical activity/exercise habits (sweating-inducing exercise, daily walking, walking speed), and sleep quality were examined. Furthermore, the relationships between lifestyle habits, MetS classification, and related indices were assessed.Results PSC and MSC scores of HR-QOL were significantly influenced by MetS classification, abdominal circumference, HbA1c, and TG levels. Lifestyle habits, including weight gain since age 20, eating habits, chewing conditions, and physical activity/exercise habits, were significantly associated with MeS classification and/or MetS-related indicators. While lifestyle habits were primarily associated with PCS and MCS, some of these associations ceased to be significant when Met classification or related indicators were included as intermediate variables.Conclusions Our findings suggest that both MetS status and lifestyle habits are associated with HRQOL. Lifestyle habits may influence HR-QOL indirectly through their effects on MetS status. Therefore, improving lifestyle behaviors may be an effective strategy to enhance HR-QOL and promote healthy longevity.