# Evaluating body composition, the eating behavior scale, and the healthy lifestyle index in female Jordanian adults with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores the link between metabolic syndrome and body composition in Jordanian women, finding that more severe metabolic syndrome is associated with higher body fat and lower healthy lifestyle scores.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how body composition and lifestyle indicators correlate with metabolic syndrome severity in Jordanian women.

## Key findings

- Participants with more MetS components had higher body fat and muscle mass percentages.
- HLI scores decreased significantly with increasing MetS components.
- No significant differences in eating behavior scores between MetS and non-MetS groups.

## Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent, and it is associated with unhealthy lifestyle risk factors that can be easily modified.

To evaluate body composition, the adults’ eating behavior score (AEBQ), and the healthy lifestyle index (HLI) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in female Jordanian adults.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 656 females in Jordan. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, blood pressure, and biochemical data were collected. The HLI and AEB questionnaire (AEBQ) was completed, and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. MetS was determined based on NCEP-ATPII criteria.

Participants with MetS had significantly higher percentages of body fat (44.15 ± 6.37%) and body muscle mass (25.7 ± 4.56%). The mean HLIBMI or HLIWHR for participants with MetS (10.7 ± 1.51 and 11.6 ± 2.03, respectively) was significantly lower than for participants without MetS (11.5 ± 2.37, p = 0.003, and 12.4 ± 2.37, p = 0.004, respectively). Participants with five MetS components had significantly the highest % of body fat (46.07 ± 4.80, p < 0.001). The participants with zero components had significantly the highest HLIBMI (12.97 ± 2.48, p = 0.003) and HLIWHR (13.73 ± 2.39, p = 0.004). Regarding AEBQ, there was no significant variation between contributors with or without MetS.

These findings suggest that as the number of MetS components increases, the % of body fat and body muscle mass also increases. This indicates a potential link between MetS and body composition. However, the scores for HLIBMI and HLIWHR, indicators of a healthy lifestyle, decrease significantly as the number of MetS components increases. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent or manage MetS.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent and is associated with unhealthy lifestyle risk factors that can be easily modified. We aimed to evaluate body composition, the adults’ eating behavior score (AEB), and the healthy lifestyle index (HLI) with (MetS) in female Jordanian adults through a cross-sectional study that included 656 females. Our findings suggest that as the number of MetS components increases, the percentage of body fat and body muscle mass also increases. This indicates a potential link between MetS and body composition. However, the scores for HLIBMI and HLIWHR, indicators of a healthy lifestyle, decrease significantly as the number of MetS components increases. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent or manage (MetS). (see Illustration graphical abstract).