Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Metabolic conditions are increasing in low resource settings, yet evidence linking age, dietary behaviors, lifestyle factors, and depressive symptoms in Palestine is limited. This cross sectional study aimed to evaluate dietary behaviors, lifestyle risk factors, and self reported metabolic diseases in Palestine. Methods An online questionnaire recruited Palestinian residents aged 18 years or older through nonprobability snowball sampling from 9 to 17 June 2026. Metabolic conditions included hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or insulin resistance. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CES D 10. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated independent correlates. Results Among 847 participants, age was 33.58 years; 85.0% were female, and 80.6% were university educated. The prevalence of any metabolic disease was 16.1%. Hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia were reported by 6.5%, 5.5%, 5.4%, and 3.3%, respectively. Among 703 with valid CES D 10 totals, 62.4% screened positive. Prevalence rose from 5.9% at ages 18 to 24 to 46.2% at 55 years or older. Each ten year age increase was associated with higher odds (AOR 2.16; 95% CI 1.81 to 2.57). Preference for hot or spicy foods was also independently associated (AOR 2.14; 95% CI 1.30 to 3.52). Conclusions Advancing age was the dominant correlate of self reported metabolic disease. The spicy food association is hypothesis generating because preference rather than intake was measured. Earlier risk assessment, grounded nutrition education, and mental health support should be evaluated in resource constrained Palestinian settings.