This study aimed to identify lifestyle factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in urban Cambodia. In this cross-sectional study, we used existing health checkup data from a private hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The participants comprised 5459 Cambodians aged ≥20 years who underwent health checkups between 2017 and 2019. The harmonized diagnostic definition was used as the MetS criteria. The prevalence of MetS was 56.6% overall, 60.4% in men and 52.6% in women. The lifestyle factor significantly associated with MetS in both sexes were “eating quicker than others”, (men: odds ratio [OR]= 2.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68–3.03, women: OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 1.41–2.60), “walking faster than others”, (men: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67–0.92, women: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62–0.89) and “drinking alcohol” (men: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10–1.61, women: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.09–1.62). Other significant associations with MetS for men was “eating speed is normal”, (OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.30–2.31), and, for women, “eating food after dinner at least 3 days a week”, (OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.01–1.55), “skipping breakfast at least 3 days a week”, (OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.69–0.99) and “getting enough rest from sleep” (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.01–1.42) were significantly associated with MetS. Lifestyle interventions through health education and guidance may be effective in preventing MetS in Cambodia.

Background The incidence of noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, is increasing in Cambodia. Urbanization and lifestyle changes due to rapid economic development have affected the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS, MetS components, and health status among Cambodians living in urban areas. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled adult Cambodians (age ≥ 20 years) who underwent a health checkup at a Japanese hospital in Phnom Penh. MetS was defined based on the harmonized diagnostic definition from the joint interim statement. Results Among the 6090 (3174 men and 2916 women) participants who were enrolled in the study, the prevalence of MetS was 60.1% in men and 52.4% in women. The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 73.2% in men and 65.3% in women, and was the highest MetS component in both men and women. In contrast, the lowest prevalence rates were observed for abdominal obesity (44.8%) in men and for high triglyceride levels (33.5%) in women. The MetS group showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity compared with the non-MetS group. Conclusion The high prevalence of MetS in this study was attributed to urbanization, as in economically developed countries. It is necessary to explore the lifestyle habits of Cambodians that contribute to MetS and to develop preventive measures to reduce the incidence and prevalence of MetS.