Backgroud: Cardiovascular disease is becoming an important national health issue since its recent increase in incidence and mortality. Despite the significant increase in mortality rate of cardio-vascular disease in Korea, there have been no specific studies concerning metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to evaluate the associated factors among adults who visited the primary care.
Methods: A total of 2,134 subjects aged 20-79y were recruited from nine primary care clinic. The metabolic syndrome was defined by NCEP ATPⅢ criteria, however, abdominal obesity was assessed by ≥90cm in men and ≥80 cm in women. Anthro-pometric variables and cardiovascular risk factors were measured, and lifestyle factors were assessed through a questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.3% and 29.5% in men and women, respectively. The risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, in common for both genders, were found to be age, and obesity. Excessive alcohol intake, and heavy smoking were also found to be risk factors of metabolic syndrome in men whereas moderate stress and family history of cardiovascular disease served as risk factors in women. For both genders, greater increase in body weight correlated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is presumed to be high considering the fact that it is commonly encountered in primary care, therefore a screening program for prevention and management of metabolic syndrome is required.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome, Prevalence, Associated factors, Primary care