NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF METABOLIC SYNDROME: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glycemic abnormalities, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to analyze scientific evidence on non-pharmacological strategies for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome, emphasizing healthy eating, physical activity, health education, and multidisciplinary care. This is an integrative literature review based on searches in the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, including full-text scientific and academic publications published between 2020 and 2026 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, according to previously established eligibility criteria. Twelve studies were selected to compose the final sample. The findings indicate that lifestyle-based interventions improve anthropometric, blood pressure, glycemic, and lipid parameters and favor adherence to care when associated with health education and multidisciplinary follow-up. The Mediterranean diet, reduction of ultra-processed foods, caloric control, aerobic and resistance exercise, and reduction of sedentary behavior stand out as effective, safe, and low-cost measures. It is concluded that non-pharmacological management should be considered a central axis in the prevention and control of metabolic syndrome, especially when applied early, continuously, individually, and integrated into health care.