Abstract:Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a rising public health issue in Asia, linked to urban lifestyle changes and occupational risks. University workers, often overlooked in prevention efforts, may be particularly vulnerable due to sedentary work patterns. Objectives: This study examines the progression of MetS among initially healthy university employees in Indonesia, aiming to provide early evidence to inform workplace health interventions in academic institutions. Methods: We analyzed medical check-up (MCU) data from a large state university in Indonesia for 2018, 2021, and 2023. Subjects included were employees without MetS in 2018 who had complete data across all three years. MetS was defined as central obesity plus at least two of the following: hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD), and hyperglycemia. Descriptive and trend analyses were performed. The Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee of Universitas Gadjah Mada has granted ethical approval for this study under the approval number KE/FK/0057/EC/2025. Results: Out of 2194 employees screened in 2018, 156 fulfilled the criteria. At baseline, none had MetS. By 2021, 29.49% developed MetS, with a slight decrease to 28.85% in 2023. Obesity and AD increased more sharply between 2018 and 2021, while hypertension and hyperglycemia also rose but followed different patterns. Participation in routine MCU was low across the three periods, potentially contributing to undetected cases. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant rise in MetS among initially healthy university workers, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies. Improving engagement in regular health monitoring programs is critical for early detection and intervention, particularly in academic institutions in middle-income countries facing a growing NCD burden.
Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Metabolic Syndrome, University Workers, Occupational Health, Longitudinal Study, Non-Communicable Diseases
