Research
Adherence
Smoking increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, and smoking cessation is associated with an increased risk of MetS in the short-to-medium term (up to 10 years) due to weight gain and metabolic changes.
Quit smoking to prevent metabolic syndrome. Be aware that you may gain weight and have a higher MetS risk for up to 10 years after quitting. Counter this by adopting a calorie-restricted diet and increasing physical activity immediately.
LimitedQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
active smokers have a 26% increased risk of MetS compared with nonsmokers... after smoking cessation, the risk of MetS increased and remained high for at least 10 years in the individuals who smoked >=20 cigarettes per day.
Why this rating
Based on prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses.
Source
Lifestyle recommendations for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome: an international panel recommendation
Pablo Pérez‐Martínez et al. · Nutrition Reviews · 2017
DOI 10.1093/nutrit/nux014
narrative_reviewCited 413×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Moderate consumption of red wine (and beer) is associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to abstainers or heavy drinkers, whereas liquor/spirit intake increases risk.Limited
- Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern significantly reduces the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome and its components compared to nonadherence or Western diets.Weak
- Daily physical activity of 30-60 minutes, including aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises, is recommended to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.Weak
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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