Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its relationship to weight in the Thai population.
BACKGROUND
Although the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been well-documented in Western Caucasian populations, there are few studies in non-Caucasian populations. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of MetS and to find an optimal BMI cut-off value for defining obesity in the Thai population.


METHODS
A sample of 307 men and 295 healthy women aged between 20 and 90 years (average age of 45 years) who came for a health check-up clinic in Khon Kaen, a northeast province of Thailand, were studied. The present study was conducted between 2003 and 2004. The modified ATP III criteria were used to estimate the age-and-sex specific prevalence of MetS, in which a BMI of > or = 27 kg/m(2) for men and 25 kg/m(2) for women were used in place of waist circumference. In the Thai population, these BMI cut-offs were equivalent to a percent body fat of 25% and 35% in men and women respectively.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of MetS was 15%, with no significant differences between men (15.3%) and women (14.6%). In men, the prevalence increased from 9.5% among the 20-39 age group to 24.7% among the 50+ age groups. In women, the respective prevalence was 7% and 29.5%. When BMI was removed from the classification ofMetS, the overall prevalence of "MetS-without-BMI" (still defined by the presence of at least 3 abnormalities) in both men and women was 7.8%. However the prevalence of MetS-without-BMI increased with higher BMI levels: among those with BMI < 25, the prevalence was 4.6% in men and 5.0% in women; among those with BMI > or = 25, the prevalence was 13% in men and 16% in women.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of MetS in this semi-rural Thai population was 15%, which is as common as in Caucasian populations. In the Thai population, obesity was a major component of MetS.
Pongchaiyakul
Chatlert
C
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Nguyen
Tuan V
TV
Wanothayaroj
Ekgaluck
E
Karusan
Napaporn
N
Klungboonkrong
Virat
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013785:Thailand