title: Current evidence on the association of the metabolic syndrome and dietary patterns in a global perspective.
abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a key indicator of two main causes of death worldwide: CVD and diabetes. The present paper aimed to perform a review of the population-based research on the association of dietary patterns and the MetS in terms of methodology and findings. For the purpose of the present study, a scoping literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and hand searching in Google Scholar. Thirty-nine population-based studies were selected. Most of these studies used the factor analysis method and the a priori dietary approach, which had been initially extracted via a posteriori methods such as using the Mediterranean dietary pattern. The main finding was that following the Mediterranean or similar 'healthy' pattern reduced risk of the MetS, while following a 'Western' pattern increased risk of the MetS. The methodological approach in determining the dietary pattern of a population, whether a priori or a posteriori, should be chosen based on the purpose of the research. Overall, evidence suggests a diet based on the components of the Mediterranean diet and the avoidance of the 'Western' diet can aid in preventing the MetS.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition,University of Saskatchewan,Clinic Place,Saskatoon,SK S7N 2Z4,Canada.
authors.forename: Zeinab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition,University of Saskatchewan,Clinic Place,Saskatoon,SK S7N 2Z4,Canada.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition,University of Saskatchewan,Clinic Place,Saskatoon,SK S7N 2Z4,Canada.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vatanparast
mesh_terms: D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords:  DASH Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension;  MetS metabolic syndrome;  NCEP-ATP III National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III;  RCT randomised controlled trial; Dietary patterns; Mediterranean diet; Metabolic syndrome; Western dietary pattern