Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among family farmers in Southern Brazil chronically exposed to pesticides.

Metabolic syndrome results from the interaction of cardiometabolic risk factors, including central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose metabolism, and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic exposure to pesticides, may contribute to metabolic dysregulation through inflammatory, oxidative, endocrine and metabolic pathways. This study investigated the association between chronic pesticide exposure and metabolic syndrome in 120 individuals from agricultural areas. Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and exposure-related data were obtained through structured interviews and laboratory analyses. Logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, alcohol consumption, and smoking showed a significant positive association between exposure duration and metabolic syndrome (adjusted OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01-1.07; p = 0.020). Principal component analysis demonstrated clustering between metabolic syndrome componentes and pesticide exposure. These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides may contribute to metabolic disturbances and represent a potentially modifiable environmental risk factor.