title: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome risk factors in college-aged students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a constellation of metabolic risk factors that consist of the following: atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose associated with insulin resistance, prothrombotic state, and proinflammatory state. The objective of the study was to quantify the prevalence of MetS among college students and to determine whether fatness (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference) or physical activity was more strongly associated with individual components of the MetS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Authors collected health history information and performed assessments of individual MetS components for 207 college students aged 18 to 24 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity levels were self-reported, while direct measurements were obtained for MetS components (waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose).
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MetS was found to be 6.8% according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The authors also found that 42.5% and 13.0% of our sample had one and two MetS components, respectively. Waist circumference was independently associated (p < .05) with HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings provide evidence for the presence of MetS on college campuses. It also appears, in part, that central adiposity contributes to the high incidence of individual MetS components. Given the elevated lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease and lower survival for those with risk factors in young adulthood, there appears to be a need for primary prevention programs within university and college settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. l.dalleck@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Lance C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Dalleck
authors.forename: Emily Marguerite
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kjelland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009043:Motor Activity; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055105:Waist Circumference; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides