Combined Effects of Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors on Metabolic Syndrome among Postmenopausal Women

This study aimed to identify the combined effects of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including diet, sedentary behavior, and physical activity on metabolic syndrome (MS) and components of MS among postmenopausal women. Secondary data analysis was conducted using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014–2018) with a cross-sectional study design. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with data from 6114 Korean postmenopausal women. While no significant effects of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, either individually or as a combination, were found for MS, prolonged sedentary behavior without poor dietary behavior and insufficient physical activity was associated with increased likelihood of abdominal obesity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–2.29) and impaired fasting glucose (AOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.13–2.10). The combination of poor dietary behavior and prolonged sedentary behaviors was also associated with increased likelihood of abdominal obesity (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.10–2.00) and impaired fasting glucose (AOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.14–1.96). In addition, prolonged sedentary behavior and insufficient physical activity together were associated with increased likelihood of abdominal obesity (AOR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.90–4.20) and impaired fasting glucose (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.13–2.24). Finally, combining poor dietary behavior, prolonged sedentary behavior, and insufficient physical activity was also associated with increased likelihood of abdominal obesity (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.50–2.80) and impaired fasting glucose (AOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.32–2.23). Strategies for replacing sedentary behavior of postmenopausal women with activities are warranted for prevention of abdominal obesity and impaired fasting glucose.