High prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among Northern Jordanians.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is rapidly increasing with a considerable ethnic variation within and across populations. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its individual components using Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria among Northern Jordanians. METHODS Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional study that included a random sample of 1121 northern Jordanians aged 25 years and above. The metabolic syndrome was defined by ATP III criteria. RESULTS The age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 36.3% (95% CI 33.6-39.0%) (28.7% among men and 40.9% among women). The prevalence increased significantly with age in men and women. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in women than in men in age groups of 40-49 and 60 years and above. Low HDL cholesterol was the most common abnormality in men (62.7%), and abdominal obesity was the most common abnormality in women (69.1%). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in North Jordan is considerably higher than in developed countries and other Arab populations. An integrated approach is needed for the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome.