Study Running Head: Neuroticism, IQ, and the metabolic syndrome

Objectives: To explore the association of neuroticism with the metabolic syndrome, separate components of the metabolic syndrome, and the number of components of metabolic syndrome an individual possesses. To examine the extent to which any associations are accounted for by socio-demographic factors, health behaviours, and cognitive ability. Method: Participants were 4,208 men drawn from the Vietnam Experience Study. From military archives, and a later telephone interview and psychological and medical examination, socio-demographic, health behaviour