Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults and elders with multi-level generalized estimation equation models

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine prevalence of MetS and associated factors among Chinese adults and elders covering a broad age range from 18 to 80 years old with multi-level generalized estimation equation models. Methods: : 28,062 subjects completed all blood biochemical testing. Subjects meeting at least 3 of the 5 criteria qualify as having MetS. Multi-level generalized estimation equation model was used to examine the relationship between MetS and covariates in order to control the cluster effect of living area. Results: 65.70% of all subjects had at least one clinical feature of MetS. 2926 subjects were diagnosed as MetS and the prevalence rate was 14.03%. The prevalence rate of MetS for males (12.31%) was lower than females (15.57%). After controlling the cluster effect of living areas, many demographic and life-style characteristics were associated with MetS. Overweight (OR=1.670, 95%CI: 1.600-1.743), obese subjects (OR=2.287, 95%CI: 2.136-2.449), current drinkers (OR=1.053, 95%CI: 1.020-1.086), physical laborers (OR=1.070, 95%CI: 1.040-1.101), subjects enjoying high-salted diet (OR=1.040, 95%CI: 1.009-1.071), subjects with hyperuricemia (OR=1.264, 95%CI: 1.215-1.316), subjects with less sleep duration (OR=1.032, 95%CI: 1.009-1.055), subjects with family history of cardiovascular diseases (OR=1.065, 95%CI: 1.019-1.113) or cerebrovascular diseases (OR=1.055, 95%CI: 1.007-1.104) could increase prevalence risk of MetS. risk of MetS would increase 6.9% (OR=1.069, 95%CI: 1.053-1.085) with each 5-percent increase of PBF. Conclusion: MetS has become a serious public health challenge in China. Changes of lifestyles including high fat, alcohol drinking, high-salted diet and less sleep duration were very important to control MetS.