OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Shanghai residents.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai with a representative sample of 14,327 Chinese adults from 15 to 74 years of age. The sample was randomly selected using stratified cluster sampling. The criteria of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines and the China Diabetes Society (CDS), respectively, were applied for diagnosis.

RESULTSDiagnosed by using the IDF criterion, the crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 17.51%, and the age and gender-adjusted prevalence was 12.81% (95% CI: 12.26 - 13.36). The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was higher in females than in males (14.79% and 10.93%, respectively), and higher in urban residents than in rural ones (13.71% and 10.72%, respectively). The age-specific prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increased in both male and female residents and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in females 45 years of age or elder was significantly increased. The prevalence of having at least 3 parameters of metabolic syndrome was 22.28%. According to the ATP III guideline, the crude and age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 12.03% and 8.62%, respectively. Based on the criterion of CDS, they were 13.98% and 10.41%.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Shanghai residents. Metabolic syndrome has become a noteworthy public health problem. It suggests that community-integrated control of metabolic syndrome should have its priority.