TYPE-A BEHAVIOR AND METABOLIC SYNDROME PRECURSORS IN YOUNG-ADULTS

The association between type A behavior and a cluster of parameters of the metabolic syndrome was studied in 919 randomly selected healthy y oung adults. Type A behavior was measured using the Type A Behavior Qu estionnaire for the Finnish Multicenter Study and the Hunter Wolf A-B Rating Scale. The results showed that type A men scored higher on the ''Metabolic Syndrome Precursors Factor,'' representing a metabolic ent ity, than did non-type A men. In addition, type A behavior had a moder ating effect on the relationship between parameters of the metabolic s yndrome, that is, interdependence of these somatic factors was stronge r in type A men than in non type A men. These findings were not true o f women. It is discussed whether type A behavior might affect bodily f unctions through increased activity along the pituitary-adrenal system resulting in insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, and o ther characteristics of the metabolic syndrome.