Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome(MS)in adult residents aged over 18 years in Wenzhou city.MethodsThrough multistage sampling,10 293 residents aged over 18 years were selected in Lucheng,Ouhai,and Longwan district of Wenzhou city.Personal information were obtained with questionnaire survey,physical examination,and laboratory test.The prevalence of MS was estimated based on the diagnostic criteria of International Diabetes Federation in 2005.ResultsThe overall MS prevalence rate was 24.5% and the national age-adjusted prevalence rate was 12.69%.Compared to the male,the female participants showed a higher prevalence rate(28.9% vs.18.4%,P<0.000 1);the young males had a higher MS prevalence rate than the young females(P<0.05);the middle- and old-aged women had a higher MS prevalence rate than the men of the same ages(P<0.000 1).In addition, the prevalence rate of MS components was 15.7%-54.4%.The prevalence rates of components of MS were 54.4% for hypertension,45.7% for central obesity,35.9% for hypertriglyceridemia,and 27.2% for abnormal fasting plasma glucose,respectively.The ratio of combination of central obesity,hypertension and dyslipidemia was the highest in MS component combination.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of MS in adult residents in Wenzhou.MS is becoming a noteworthy health problem requiring urgent attention for its prevention and treatment.