Objective  To examine the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in middle-aged and elderly people in Chengdu city, Sichuan province, and to provide references for the prevention and control of MS.

  Methods  Using stratified random sampling, we recruited 7 286 permanent residents aged 40 – 79 years in 10 districts of Chengdu municipality and conducted questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory detection among the residents from October 2015 to December 2018.

  Results  Among all the participants, 1 967 were diagnosed with MS and the MS prevalence was 27.00%. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that familial history of hypertension, familial history of diabetes, central obesity, hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are independent risk factors for MS among the participants.

  Conclusion  In Chengdu city, the prevalence of MS is high among middle-aged and elderly people and the people with familial history of hypertension or diabetes, central obesity, hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are at high risk of MS.