Role of Gender in the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Related Risk Factors in Shiraz Healthy Heart Center Population

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is defined as a group of cardiovascular risk factors and is an important health threat. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the role of gender in the prevalence of MetS among Shiraz Healthy Heart Center population. Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 350 adults aged 20 - 65 years from Shiraz Healthy Heart Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Individuals with obesity secondary to medication and genetic or endocrine disorders were excluded from the study. Weight and height were measured for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI). Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured, as well. Plasma glucose, serum High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), and Triglyceride (TG) were also analyzed. The presence of MetS was determined using Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) criteria. Results: The results showed significant correlations between age and waist circumference, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). Moreover, statistically significant relationships were found between waist circumference and TG, SBP, DBP, and BMI. Significant correlations were also observed between FBS and TG, SBP, and DBP. Besides, there were strong correlations between TG and HDL-c, SBP, DBP, and BMI. Moreover, BMI, SBP, and DBP were significantly correlated. In addition, serum HDL-c was negatively associated with most of the variables. The prevalence of pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia was higher among males. On the other hand, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, high waist circumference, and MetS was significantly higher among the female participants. Conclusions: A better understanding of the role of gender in the prevalence of MetS is important in developing prevention and treatment strategies.