Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among Asian Indians: a community survey.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) among urban Asian Indian adults.

METHODS: 2225 subjects aged > or =20 years were studied in a population based cross-sectional survey in Chandigarh, a city in north India. Anthropometric measurements, estimation of capillary plasma glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were done. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was estimated using National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), modified NCEP ATP III and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to find out risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS: The prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome were 35.8% (NCEP ATP III), 45.3% (modified NCEP ATP III) and 39.5% (IDF criteria). As per modified NCEP ATP III criteria, central obesity was the commonest abnormality among females and elevated blood pressure among males. Risk factors for MS were increasing age, female gender, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes in parents.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components. Independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome included increasing age, female gender, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes mellitus in parents.