Changes in Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components Across the Pre-Pandemic, Pandemic, and Recovery Periods Among Korean Adults

Background/Objectives: Korean studies reported adverse metabolic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but subsequent patterns remain unclear. This study examined metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and recovery periods among Korean adults.

Methods

We analyzed 36,194 adults aged ≥20 years from the 2018–2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 11,354 pre-pandemic (2018–2019), 10,200 pandemic (2020–2021), and 14,640 recovery (2022–2024). MetS was defined as ≥3 of five components. Complex-sample analyses and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Sensitivity analysis excluded reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).