Introduction: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors associated with metabolic syndrome among adult New York City residents.
Methods: The 2004 New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was a population-based, cross-sectional study of noninstitutionalized New York City residents aged 20 years or older. We examined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III revised guidelines, according to demographic subgroups and comorbid diagnoses in a probability sample of 1,263 participants. We conducted bivariable and multivariable analyses to identify factors associated with metabolic syndrome.
Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.7% (95% confidence interval, 23.7%-29.8%). Prevalence was highest among Hispanics (33.9%) and lowest among whites (21.8%). Prevalence increased with age and body mass index and was higher among women (30.1%) than among men (22.9%). More than half (55.4%) of women and 33.0% of men with metabolic syndrome had only 3 metabolic abnormalities, 1 of which was abdominal obesity. The most common combination of metabolic abnormalities was abdominal obesity, elevated fasting blood glucose, and elevated blood pressure. Adjusting for other factors, higher body mass index, Asian race, and current smoking were positively associated with metabolic syndrome; alcohol use was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome among women but increased the likelihood of metabolic syndrome among men.
Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is pervasive among New York City adults, particularly women, and is associated with modifiable factors. These results identify population subgroups that could be targeted for prevention and provide a benchmark for assessing such interventions.