Introduction:

The increasing prevalence of obesity has become a major global health problem in both adults and adolescents, and both total adiposity and trunk subcutaneous fat accumulation during adolescence are positively and independently associated with the development of atherosclerosis in adulthood. In this context, the objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and the etiological, epidemiological, and pathophysiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome through a narrative review of the literature.

Methodology:

A narrative literature review with a descriptive scope was conducted, based on a bibliographic search in various electronic databases and scientific information portals from August 2023 to December 2024.

Results:

71 scientific articles were selected and subjected to critical appraisal to extract the information pertinent to each section, in accordance with the study objectives. The average prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31%, and it was associated with approximately a two-fold increase in the risk of coronary and cerebrovascular disease, as well as with a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of all-cause mortality. Currently, multiple definitions of metabolic syndrome coexist, which generates confusion as to whether they identify the same individuals or act as a surrogate for different risk factors.

Conclusion:

Both prevention and diagnostic and therapeutic management should focus on established risk factors rather than on the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) itself. Population-based studies conducted in different countries have shown that obesity and MS will continue to represent a serious health threat in the future. Therefore, cost-effective strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity from early life should be implemented, as they may significantly decrease health-related and non-health-related costs over the life course.

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