Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the Yan-an region of northwest China.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in a sample population from northwest China, and to determine the optimal cut-off point for waist circumference for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome in this population.

METHODS: A total of 1290 residents of the Yan-an region of China completed a cross-sectional survey, physical examination and laboratory tests. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS), and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adults Treatment Panel-III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria were used to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its relationship with age and gender.

RESULTS: According to the NCEP-ATPIII, CDS and IDF diagnostic criteria, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 15.8%, 20.4% and 26.4%, respectively. The optimal cut-off point for waist circumference was ≥ 86.5 cm for men and ≥ 80.5 cm for women.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the Yan-an region was significantly higher than that in other regions of China, and participants with the metabolic syndrome were much younger than those in other Chinese regions.