Prevalence and Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome-identified by Three Criteria among Men in Rural China: A...

The aim of this study was to estimate MS prevalence according to three criteria and its risk factors among men in rural China.

Cross-sectional study.

The Nantong Metabolic Syndrome Study (NMSS) was conducted during 2007-2008 in Nantong, China.

6997 male participants aged 18-74 years.

In person interviews, blood glucose and lipid measurements were accomplished.

The prevalence of MS was 12.86%, 8.55% and 15.28% according to IDF, ATPIII and ATPIII-modified criteria, respectively. The IDF and ATP III-modified criteria agreed only moderately with ATP III criteria (κ= 0.56 and 0.68), whereas ATP III-modified and the IDF criteria agreed perfectly (κ= 0.90). Vigorous occupational physical activity was associated with a low prevalence of MS with Odds ratio (OR) of 0.58 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45-0.74). Beer drinkers (alcohol ≤ 6.2 g/day) and rice wine drinkers (alcohol ≤ 9.0 g/day) had about 34% and 33% low risks of developing MS respectively, compared with non-drinkers. OR of MS was 1.95 (95% CI: 1.39-2.73) in men who had familial history of at least two diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, compared with men without familial history of those diseases.

Our data suggested that MS is highly prevalent among men in rural China. Family history of diabetes and hypertension is a risk factor in MS development. Physical activity, rice wine and beer consumption are associated with a significantly lower risk.