Self-reported prevalence and awareness of metabolic syndrome: findings from SHIELD

PURPOSE: This study assessed awareness of metabolic syndrome and evaluated health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of respondents at risk. METHODS: Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD), a longitudinal US population-based survey initiated in 2004, included respondents, ≥ 18 years of age, reporting a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was compared in SHIELD and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002 survey. The proportion of SHIELD respondents who had heard of and/or understood metabolic syndrome was estimated. Respondents at high risk for metabolic syndrome were stratified into attitude-behaviour categories of ‘Already Doing It’, ‘I Know I Should’ and ‘Don't Bother Me’ and differences in attitudes and behaviours were evaluated with chi-square tests. RESULTS: Prevalence of reported metabolic syndrome was 0.6% in SHIELD screening questionnaire respondents (n =211,097) vs. 25.9% in NHANES (n =10,780). Less than 15% of SHIELD baseline questionnaire respondents (n =22,001) had heard of or understood metabolic syndrome. Attitudes toward health status were more favourable in the ‘Doing’ group (27% reported fair/poor health) compared with those in the ‘Should’ (38%) and ‘Don’t’ (54%) groups (p < 0.0001). The ‘Don’t’ group was most likely to prefer medications to lifestyle change (13% vs. 2–4%) compared with ‘Should’ and ‘Doing’ groups (p < 0.0001). More ‘Doing’ respondents (79%) than ‘Should’ (59%) and ‘Don’t’ (48%) respondents reported exercising regularly (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge about metabolic syndrome reported in SHIELD indicates limited penetration of this concept into public awareness. With behaviour categories, respondents who report healthy attitudes are more likely to embrace lifestyle changes, while respondents who do not care may be more difficult to treat.