Figure 1:

Participant selection pipeline from the original GOBS dataset applying MetS criteria scores based on a composite of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Plan III (NCEP-ATP III). Criteria for metabolically healthy control group was determined by including participants with a composite MetS score of ≤ 1.5. Criteria for MetS case group was determined by including participants fulfilling the WC criteria of the IDF and achieving a MetS score of ≥ 3.0. A few borderline individuals (3 control and 6 MetS) were added to provide age- and sex-matched symmetry in the final analysis.