Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among urban community residents in China

Guang-Rong Wang,Li Li,Nathan A Berger,Ke-Liang Ni,George E Kikano,Guo-Dong Tian,Wan-Long Lin,Yi-Hui Pan,Zhe Li,Zheng-Yi Chen,Kurt C Stange,You-Long Gong

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-599

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China’s tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Limited information is available about the current burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China.MethodsWe analyzed data on metabolic risk factors among 22,457 adults aged ≥ 32 years participating in the “Zhabei Health 2020” survey (2009–2010), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of community residents in Zhabei District. We defined MetS using Chinese-specific cut-off points for central obesity according to consensus criteria recently endorsed by several international and national organizations in defining MetS in different populations worldwide. We used a multiple logistic regression model to assess the associations of potential risk factors with MetS.ResultsThe unadjusted prevalence of the MetS was 35.1% for men and 32.5% for women according to the consensus criteria for Chinese. The prevalence increased progressively from 12.1% among participants aged 32–45 years to 45.4% among those aged ≥ 75 years. Age, smoking, family history of diabetes, and education are significantly associated with risk of MetS.ConclusionsThe MetS is highly prevalent and has reached epidemic proportion in Chinese urban adult community residents.

Highlights

Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China’s tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades
A previous study based on a cross-sectional national survey of 15,540 Chinese adults aged 35–74 years in 2000–2001 reported 9.8% prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men and 17.8% in women according to the US National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, with higher rates in urban areas [11]
The prevalence rates of low HDL-C and elevated fasting glucose and/or diagnosis of diabetes were substantially higher in women and the prevalence rates of elevated fasting glucose and/or diagnosis of diabetes was substantially higher in men using the new consensus criteria as compared to that using the modified NCEP ATP III criteria

Summary

Introduction

Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China’s tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Lifestyle of the Chinese population is undergoing drastic changes following China’s rapid economic growth in recent decades. Metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and hypertension, are rising, and chronic diseases have surpassed infectious diseases as the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in China [2]. The metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clustering of metabolic risk factors including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoproteins), elevated blood pressure, and obesity (central adiposity in particular), is a well recognized clinical entity that may progress to overt diabetes mellitus and increase risks of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers [4,5,6]. A previous study based on a cross-sectional national survey of 15,540 Chinese adults aged 35–74 years in 2000–2001 reported 9.8% prevalence rate of MetS in men and 17.8% in women according to the US National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, with higher rates in urban areas [11]

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Conclusion