Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in the population over 30 years in Naghadeh city and its relationship with demographic characteristics in the years 2016-18

Metabolic syndrome (MS), is an important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MS and its components in the population over 30 years in Naghadeh city and their relationships with demographic characteristics.

In this cross-sectional study, 10,296 people over 30 years who participated in the IraPEN program in Naghadeh during 2016-18 were studied. Demographic characteristics, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol were studied. MS was defined according to the ATPIII criterion. Relative frequency, 95% confidence interval, and mean and standard deviation were used to describe qualitative and quantitative variables. Direct standardization method was used to standardize the prevalence measures.

In this study, 57.6% of the sample were female and 62.3% lived in urban areas. The age-standardized prevalence of MS was 32.8% (95%CI: 31.9-33.8) (48.3% in women and 18.2% in men). Its prevalence was higher in urban areas, and increased with age and decreased levels of education. The prevalence of MS components had a similar pattern in demographic subgroups. Abdominal obesity in women (77.6%) and low HDL in women and men (75.3% and 49.7%, respectively) had the highest frequency.

The prevalence of MS and its components is high in Naghadeh city. Planning and implementing educational programs for the whole population, especially housewives, to change eating behaviors and increase physical activity, as well as appropriate screening and preventive programs to identify people who need intervention can be effective in reducing the complications of MS and its components.