Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged Men and Women

Whereas the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes is now well characterized (1), data on the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome in populations are limited (2–5). The lack of an accepted internationally agreed definition has impeded epidemiological work on the prevalence and antecedents of this syndrome. Two definitions of the syndrome have been proposed, one by the World Health Organization (MSWHO) (6), and one in the U.S. Third Report of …