Table 1.

Widely-used definitions of the Metabolic Syndrome

World Health Organization (adapted from reference [14])

One of the following:

Diabetes mellitus

Impaired glucose tolerance

Impaired fasting glucose

Plus any two of the following

Waist-to-hip ratio >0.9 (men) or >0.85 (women); BMI>30; or both

Triacylglycerols ≥ 1.7 mmol/L; HDL cholesterol <0.9 mmol/L (men) or <1.0 mmol/L (women); or both

Blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg

Microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate ≥ 20 μg/min or albumin/creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g)

National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (adapted from reference [15])

Any three of the following:

Fasting glucose ≥ 6.1 mmol/L

Waist circumference >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)

Triacylglycerols ≥ 1.7 mmol/L

HDL cholesterol <1.036 mmol/L (men) or <1.295 mmol/L (women)

Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg

International Diabetes Federation (adapted from reference [16])

Must have:

Waist circumference as defined by sex- and ethnic-specific values

Plus any two of the following:

Triacylglycerols ≥ 1.7 mmol/L or treatment

HDL <1.03 mmol/L (men) or <1.29 mmol/L (women) or treatment

Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg or treatment

Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L or diagnosed type 2 diabetes

AHA/NHLBI (adapted from reference [17])

Any three of the following:

Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm (men) or ≥ 88 cm (women)

Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides

HDL cholesterol <1.03 mmol/L (men) or <1.3 mmol/L (women) or drug treatment for reduced HDL-C

Blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg systolic or ≥ 85 mmHg diastolic or drug treatment

Fasting glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L or treatment for elevated glucose