Abstract
PURPOSE: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and associated diseases grows as the population ages. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in the prevalence of MetS and its components among people aged 50 years and older in Iran. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing (NeLSA), which is an ageing component of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IraAn (PERSIAN). The NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria were used to identify the prevalence of MetS among 3383 men and 3873 women aged 50 years and older. Sociodemographic information, lifestyle and clinical factors were collected via an interview-based questionnaire. Weight and height, waist circumferences and blood pressure were measured. Laboratory measures such as fasting blood sugar, triglycerides and high-density cholesterol were also assessed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of the MetS according to the NCEP ATP III and IDF definitions were 45% and 47%, respectively. The prevalence of the MetS in men and women was 37% and 63% according to the NCEP ATP III definition, 33% and 67% by the IDF definition, respectively. The prevalence of MetS components was significantly higher in women than in men. CONCLUSION: In the current study, the prevalence of MetS and its components was significantly higher among women than men. We also observed good concordance between IDF and NCEP ATP III criteria.