Metabolic syndrome in a Taiwanese metropolitan adult population.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a combination of medical disorders that increase one's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Little information exists on the prevalence of MS in a general adult population in Taiwan.

Methods: We did a cross-sectional survey in a representative sample of 2,359 Chinese adults aged 40 years and over who lived in a metropolitan city, Taiwan in 2004-05. MS was defined by Adult Treatment Panel III criteria modified for Asians.

Results: The prevalence of MetS was 35.32% and 43.23% in men aged 40-64 years and 65 years and over, respectively, and 24.19% and 51.82% in women aged 40-64 years and 65 years and over. Older age, postmenopausal status, higher body mass index, current smoking, low education attainment, low household income, no alcohol consumption, lower level of occupation physical activity, and a family history of diabetes were associated with increased odds of MetS.

Conclusion: MetS was present in more than 30% of the Taiwan adult population aged 40 years and over in a metropolitan area; there were substantial variations by age and body mass index groups.