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To determine the gender-specific prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) in a representative sample of Iranian adults, and to identify some possible related lifestyle factors.

As the baseline survey of a community-based interventional program entitled Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we performed this cross-sectional study on 12,514 adults (≥19 years) living in urban and rural areas of 3 cities in Iran. We assessed the prevalence of the Met S (according to the ATP III criteria) as well as dietary intake (based on food frequency questionnaire) and physical activity habits of all of the participants. We also evaluated dietary intake at the micronutrient level by using a one-day food record in a sub-sample of 2000 participants.

The age-adjusted prevalence of Met S was 23.3%, with a higher prevalence in women compared to men (35.1% vs. 10.7%, P<0.05) and in urban residents …