title: Men in Macau SAR have higher prevalence in metabolic syndrome and among related metabolic components: a cross-sectional Macau Health Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Macau has recently experienced expansive socioeconomic growth, leading to lifestyle changes that could have contributed to the development of certain diseases. Little information exists on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and associated risk factors. This information is important, since the management of MetS is tightly connected with prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is based on the cross-sectional Macau Health Survey 2006. Information on anthropometry, physical measurements, socio-demographics, laboratory tests and life-style habits was collected by trained health professionals from a random sub-population sample, aged 18-44 (32.6 ± 8.3). Body Mass Index (BMI) cut-offs were based on WHO criteria for Asian population. The prevalence of MetS, as defined by the International Diabetes Federation was calculated and the associated lifestyle factors were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among Macau's adults (n = 1592), the age-adjusted prevalence of MetS was over two times higher in men (10.5%) than in woman (3.7%), (p <0.01). 15.8% were overweight (BMI ≥23 < 25) and 18.8% were obese (BMI ≥25). Man had significantly higher risk profile in almost all components of MetS (p <0.001), except the waist circumference and HDL. BMI, age and education were significantly related to MetS in both genders (p <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found significant gender differences in MetS among the 18-44 year old population of Macau, which should be addressed separately in the gender-specific preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Room 301, 3/F, 5 Sassoon Rd, Hong Kong, SAR, China. tanja.sobko@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sobko
authors.forename: Dulce
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: Qian Xiang
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Tong Ka
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Io
authors.forename: Chan Kin
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wa
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008256:Macau / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult