Abstract: Objective To explore the relationship between dietary pattern and metabolic syndrome (MS) in residents of Xiamen city.Methods Using multistage stratified cluster random sampling,2 508 residents were selected to receive a dietary survey and anthropometric and biochemical measures from December 2015 to September 2016.Factor analysis was used to identify food patterns based on the dietary survey.Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between food patterns and MS and its components.Results Four dietary patterns were identified,including condiment,sea food,more milk and less oil,and fruits and vegetables pattern.After adjusting for potential confounding factors,the upper tertile (T3) of the condiment pattern was associated with higher risks of hypertension compared with the lowest tertile (T1)(T3:T1 odds ratioOR=1.60,95% confidence interval95%CI=1.19-2.15).T3 of the more milk and less oil pattern was associated with lower risks of MS and hypertension compared with the T1(T3:T1 OR=0.47,95%CI=0.30-0.75;T3:T1 OR=0.49,95%CI=0.36-0.65).No correlation was found between the sea food pattern,fruits and vegetables pattern with MS and its components.Conclusion Dietary patterns are associated with MS and blood pressure levels.Limiting intake of table salt and oil,increasing intake of milk may play important roles in the prevention of MS and high blood pressure.