A comparison of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using two proposed definitions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using two definitions: one proposed by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III [ATP III]) and one by the World Health Organization (WHO).


METHODS
We used data from a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian population of the U.S. from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional health examination survey (1988-1994).


RESULTS
Among 8608 participants aged >or=20 years, the age-adjusted prevalence was 23.9% using the ATP III definition and 25.1% using the WHO definition. Among all participants, 86.2% were classified as either having or not having the metabolic syndrome under both definitions. Estimates differed substantially for some subgroups, however. For example, in African-American men, the WHO estimate was 24.9%, compared with the ATP III estimate of 16.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
A universally accepted definition of the metabolic syndrome is needed.
Ford
Earl S
ES
Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. esf2@cdc.gov
Giles
Wayne H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology