The Role of Personality Traits in Metabolic Syndrome Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a cluster of interrelated conditions including central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance, significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Its rising global prevalence, particularly among younger populations, underscores its status as a pressing public health concern. While traditional research has emphasized biological and lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking, emerging evidence highlights the critical role of psychological factors, notably personality traits, in the onset, progression, and management of MetS. Objectives: This review is primarily focused on the association between specific personality traits and the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome. The second objective is to assess the association between behavioral correlates and Metabolic Syndrome. Method. Systematic review. The protocol was prior registered in PROSPERO. A search was performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (CORE), Dissertations & Theses Global, and Google Scholar, with a maximum of 100 results. Observational studies focused on teenagers and young people between the ages of 14 to 30, assessing personality traits and MetS were included. Preliminary results. A total of 3606 references were screened by title and abstract after removing duplicates. A total of 27 full-text papers were retrieved from databases, and 6 from Google to be screened. Dissemination of results: The primary dissemination strategy will involve submitting the completed review to a peer-reviewed journal aligned with the study’s scope. Recognizing the study’s focus on adolescents and young adults, dissemination will extend to educational and youth-oriented settings.