[Risk factors for metabolic syndrome in a case control study in Temuco, Chile].

Background: Metabolic syndrome is becoming an important public health problem in affluent societies.

Aim: To identify factors associated to metabolic syndrome in a Southern Chilean city.

Material And Methods: Using a case control design, 200 participants, aged 35 to 70 years with at least three criteria for metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP_ATPIII) and 200 subjects with less than three criteria, were studied.