The prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the Iranian Committee of Obesity and ATP III criteria in Babol, North of Iran.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is highly significant due to its association to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of MS according to the report of the Iranian National Committee of Obesity criteria (INCO) versus Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) in Babol, North of Iran. Methods: Data obtained based on criteria ATP III from the Babol Lipid and Glucose Study (from July 2004 to September 2005) and were compared with the new INCO criteria 2010. The data were collected and analyzed. Results: In total, 933 adult males and females were evaluated. According to ATP III criteria, the overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.7% (95% confidence interval: 21%-26.4%); 28.4% and 9.4% were females and males, respectively; however, the prevalence was 20.5% (95% confidence interval:17.9%?23.1%) according to the INCO criteria, 22.5% and 15.7% were females and males, respectively. Conclusion: The new INCO criteria for the metabolic syndrome proclaimed by the Iranian Committee of Obesity estimated a lower prevalence of syndrome in comparison with ATP III criteria in Babol.