Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among middle-aged and elderly adults in China: current status and temporal trends

Abstract

While measures to prevent and control cardiovascular diseases need to be strengthened in China, rapid increasing risk factors among rural residents and women should be prioritized in making public health policy decisions. KEY MESSAGES Our study assessed prevalence and temporal changes of MetS among Chinese population with the most recently completed and the largest sample size. The current prevalence of MetS was higher in women, older adults, those with lower education level, and in economically developed regions and the CVD risk factors among rural residents and women should be prioritised in making public health policy decisions. A comparison of results of the present study and previous national studies showed that rural adults had worse deterioration or less improvement in abdominal obesity, overweight, hypertension, and high fasting plasma glucose, than urban adults, which was particularly striking for women.