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Healthcare professionals are at increased risk of metabolic disorders due to high work-related stress, irregular schedules and unhealthy dietary habits. However, limited data exist on how lifestyle influences metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hepatic biomarkers among healthcare professionals in Ghana. This study investigated the association between lifestyle exposures (work stress, dietary patterns and physical activity), metabolic and hepatic biomarkers among healthcare professionals in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 118 healthcare professionals at the Abuakwa South Municipal Hospital. Data were collected using demographic and lifestyle questionnaires, work stress assessments, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical analyses. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Dietary patterns were derived from a food frequency questionnaire and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The prevalence of MetS was 11.0%, with high blood pressure (29.7%) and abdominal obesity (57.1%) being the most common components. The majority of participants reported high stress levels (60.4%), while 59.7% engaged in moderate physical activity. About 65.3% had ALT/AST ratios >1. Four dietary patterns were identified: Western, Traditional Mixed, Protein-Rich, and Fruit & Dairy. Moderate and high adherence to the Western dietary pattern was associated with greater odds of abdominal obesity (T2: OR = 3.244, p = 0.018; T3: OR = 4.231, p = 0.005). A marginal association was also observed between high triglycerides and ALT (OR = 1.026, p = 0.066).
Implications: The high proportion of participants with ALT/AST ratios>1indicate possible hepatic stress or early liver dysfunction, warranting early interventions to prevent liver-related complications. This study also highlight a considerable burden of metabolic risk factors among healthcare professionals. Workplace-based interventions focusing on healthier dietary habits, stress management, routine screening, and lifestyle modifications are urgently needed to reduce the risk of early-onset MetS and hepatic complications.
Keywords: Work stress, metabolic syndrome, hepatic biomarkers, physical activity, dietary pattern