title: [Prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in users of primary healthcare units in São Paulo--SP, Brazil].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and socioeconomic level, life style, health status, family history of morbidity, and residence areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional cohort study. The random sample consisted of users of two primary health care units (Unidades Básicas de Saúde--UBSs) in the city of São Paulo--Jardim Comercial (UBS1), and Jardim Germânia (UBS2), a total of 452 subjects. The NCEP ATP IIIcriterion was used to diagnose MS. Weight, height, abdominal and hip circumferences were measured for the anthropometric evaluation. A general questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic and socioeconomic data; family history; medical history; behavioral habits such as smoking, drinking, and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to establish the association between explanatory variables of interest and MS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At UBS1, MS percentage was 56.1%; at UBS2, 34.0%. There was a direct and significant association between MS and age, female gender, race, smoking, drinking, physical activity level, stress, and family history of heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Education level showed an inverse association. Subjects living in a lower socioeconomic level neighborhood had a higher MS risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the morbidities that compose MS are a serious publichealth problem in that population.
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. mpcleitao@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Paula Carvalho
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Leitão
authors.forename: Ignez Salas
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult