title: Prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in Medellin and surrounding municipalities, Colombia, 2008-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among adults 25-64 years of age from Medellin and surrounding municipalities, Colombia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used 2008-2010 data from the Antioquia STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS), a multi-stage complex cross-sectional survey designed according to World Health Organization guidelines. The revised 2005 International Diabetes Federation definition of MetS was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 3000 participants. Of these, 21.4% had high blood pressure (HBP) and 64% had abdominal obesity (AO). In the subsample with serum data (n = 943), 19.8% had high fasting serum glucose, 43.9% had high triglycerides (HTG), and 56.6% had low HDL cholesterol (L-HDL). Among those with data to define MetS (n = 901), 41% had MetS. Older age was associated with MetS and all components except L-HDL. Female sex [odds ratio (OR) = 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.20-3.70], being married (OR = 1.40, CI: 1.09-1.82), and high physical activity (OR = 0.59, CI: 0.39-0.91) were associated with AO, smoking with HTG (OR = 1.76, CI: 1.16-2.67) and L-HDL (OR = 1.67, CI: 1.10-2.51) and rural residence with HBP (OR = 3.42, CI: 1.83-6.37) and L-HDL (OR = 1.18, CI: 1.10-2.51).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of MetS and AO was high in this Colombian region. Targeted strategies for promoting healthy behaviors are needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health Systems and Workforce Development, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. epdavila@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Davila
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Quintero
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Orrego
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Walke
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Arenas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult