# Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa
###### Abstract  
The occupation of taxi driving predisposes drivers to health risks, including obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Although individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are documented, data is scarce on concurrent metabolic disturbances among commercial drivers. The prevalence of MetS and its components were determined in a cross-sectional study among taxi drivers (n = 362) in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure, and glucose were measured. MetS was defined based on BMI strata, hypertension, and glucose levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The mean age of taxi drivers was 42 \(\pm\) 10.9 years. Overall prevalence of MetS was 17.1%, with higher prevalence observed among older taxi drivers (24.2%) and those with longer experience in the industry (22.9%). Individual components of MetS were obesity (36%), hypertension (36%) and diabetes (46%), while smoking (30%), alcohol use (59%), and physical inactivity (71%) were observed. MetS was associated with duration in the taxi industry, and family history of diabetes among taxi drivers. The presence of MetS and its components among taxi drivers calls for early identification of cardiometabolic risks in the taxi industry and efforts towards achieving a healthier workforce. metabolic syndrome; obesity; diabetes; hypertension; taxi drivers; South Africa 20221212767. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031767](https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031767)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031767](https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031767))  
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[PERSON], M., [PERSON], K.E., M., M., and M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., M., M., and M., M., M., M., M., and M., M., M.  
Concurrent presence of metabolic disturbances in the general population is more harmful than each single isolated problem, but data is limited among taxi drivers in South Africa [6; 12; 13]. MetS is characterized by the presence of three or more components such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, increased levels of fasting blood glucose and serum triglycerides, and low levels of high-density cholesterol [25; 26]. Patients with the components of MetS are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus, while obesity, especially abdominal obesity, contributes to the occurrence of MetS and later predisposes to morbidity and mortality [27; 28]. South Africa has recorded alarming rates of undiagnosed hypertension (13.5-75.5%) [29; 30], diabetes (69%) [31], overweight/obesity (56-68%) [32], abdominal obesity (56.4-65.2%) [17; 18], and dyslipidemia (14-69%) [33; 34] among adults. Furthermore, previous studies have reported high prevalence of diabetes (16%), hypertension (57.0%), obesity (24.5-75.5%), and abdominal obesity (29-71%) among taxi drivers in South Africa [6; 12; 13]. These cardiometabolic abnormalities impair the quality of life, while the health care system continues to be burdened [26; 27]. In addition to occupational stresses, the prevalence of MetS has been attributed to socioeconomic, lifestyle, genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors including improper dietary intake, obesity, and physical inactivity [35; 36; 37; 38]. All of these factors contribute to cardiovascular health, particularly MetS, in various population groups such as taxi drivers [6; 11; 12; 13; 39]. Several studies have reported discrepancies on the link between different jobs and risk of MetS in developing countries [28; 40; 41]. While some studies showed that the rates of hypertension, blood glucose, and high triglyceride levels were significantly higher among commercial drivers compared to professional workers [40; 41], no significant differences of these factors were reported between commercial drivers and non-drivers [28].