Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Risk in the United States based on NHANES 2001-2012 Data

Purpose: The purpose of the current investigation was to assess Metabolic Syndrome prevalence and risk estimates using United States nationally representative data. Methods: Study sample was derived from 6 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohorts from 2001-2012, N = 9,326 (male: n = 4,814; female: n = 4,512) including ages 18-59 presenting as fasted for 12 hours prior to laboratories collection. Variables included AHA/NHBLI Metabolic Syndrome classification criteria as well as additional cardiometabolic measures. Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and risk factors across cohorts as well as relative risk estimates were derived. Estimates were adjusted for age, race, and sex. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between Metabolic Syndrome prevalence across cohorts. The order of Metabolic Syndrome criteria from highest to lowest risk were waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, fasting plasma glucose, and blood pressure for the total sample and across sex, with women presenting with larger risk estimates than men. Women had larger prevalence of waist circumference, HDL, and blood pressure risk factors compared to men who had a larger prevalence of triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose risk factors. Those presenting with Metabolic Syndrome were twice as likely to have a cardiovascular event. Conclusion: Waist circumference and triglycerides were the Metabolic Syndrome risk factors with the highest prevalence and associated risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome. Those with Metabolic Syndrome were at increased risk of having a cardiovascular event.