Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and individual criteria in college students.

UNLABELLED: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is present in young adults and because coronary heart disease (CHD) is likely, screening to determine MetS prevalence and its criteria is critical.

OBJECTIVE

To determine MetS prevalence and most prevalent criteria in a sample of first-year college students.

PARTICIPANTS

First-year college students between 18 and 24 years of age (n = 189).

METHODS

Metabolic syndrome was defined using the updated 2001 National Cholesterol Education Programs Adult Treatment Panel III. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were obtained. Lipid and glucose concentrations were determined.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of MetS was 3.7%. Prevalence of 1 or 2 MetS criteria was 28.0% and 7.4%, respectively. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (20.1%) and elevated triacylglycerol (17.5%) concentrations were the most prevalent criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults have and are at risk of developing MetS. Identification of MetS early in life is critical and screening young adults will aid in targeted intervention development to decrease CHD risk.