Combination of risk factors for metabolic syndrome in the military personnel of the Brazilian Navy.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death in the population, and metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical condition significantly associated with the increase in morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To describe the pattern of combination of the risk factors related to the diagnosis of MS in the military personnel of the Brazilian Navy and to identify variables associated with the presence of MS in that population.

Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 1,383 men (18-62 years) assigned to military organizations in the city of Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte.