An event where people can measure their vascular age and blood pressure and consult health experts during their lunch break will be held in central Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 15th that it will hold a metabolic syndrome prevention and management campaign at Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno District from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 19th. The city government, public health centers from all 25 district offices and the National Health Insurance Service will take part, offering vascular age measurements, blood pressure tests, health consultations and health information quizzes. Participants will also receive small gifts.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a person has three or more of five risk factors: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Seoul has provided metabolic syndrome registration and management services to about 2.14 million people since 2009.
Seoul residents aged 20 to 69 can undergo five tests at public health centers, including waist circumference, blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, and receive 12 months of tailored health management based on the results. Advance reservations can be made at local public health centers or on the metabolic syndrome management program website.
The city also runs a metabolic challenge program linked to the Wrist Doctor 9988 mobile app. Participants can earn up to 25,000 points depending on how many health management missions they complete and how much they improve their risk factors. Since September, the city has been expanding on-site testing and consultation services at workplaces for employees who find it difficult to visit public health centers.
Cho Young-chang, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Citizens' Health Bureau, said, "Because risk factors for metabolic syndrome can build up even without any particular symptoms, it is important to check your health status regularly and manage it consistently." He added, "We hope this campaign serves as an opportunity for citizens to put healthy lifestyle habits into practice."