title: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and individual criteria in college students.
abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is present in young adults and because coronary heart disease (CHD) is likely, screening to determine MetS prevalence and its criteria is critical.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine MetS prevalence and most prevalent criteria in a sample of first-year college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year college students between 18 and 24 years of age (n = 189).
  
  
  METHODS
  Metabolic syndrome was defined using the updated 2001 National Cholesterol Education Programs Adult Treatment Panel III. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were obtained. Lipid and glucose concentrations were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of MetS was 3.7%. Prevalence of 1 or 2 MetS criteria was 28.0% and 7.4%, respectively. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (20.1%) and elevated triacylglycerol (17.5%) concentrations were the most prevalent criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young adults have and are at risk of developing MetS. Identification of MetS early in life is critical and screening young adults will aid in targeted intervention development to decrease CHD risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Ingrid E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Lofgren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids