Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship between weight-for-height and metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods Physical examination was performed among 1280 staff aged 30-69 years in Northeastern University.Severe underweight,underweight,normal weight,overweight,and severe overweight groups were difined according to the National Physical Fitness Evaluation Standard. Results The prevalence of MS was 31.8%,and the prevalence in men(36.2%) was significantly higher than in the women(24.0%)(χ²=20.24,P<0.01),and the prevalence of MS in the overweight (48.1%)and severe overweight groups(60.2%)were significantly higher than that in the normal weight group (23.5%)(χ²=40.94,χ²=109.40;all P<0.01).In the normal weight group,the prevalence of MS increased with increasing age,and the prevalence of MS was at high level in the subjects older than 50 years.Meanw hile,in the normal weight group,the prevalences of abdominal obesity(42.3%),hypertension(56.0%),hyperglycemia(30.0%),and hypertriglyceridaemia(29.9%)were all at high level.The risks of MS in the subjects with normal weight and abnormal waist circumference were 12.58(95% confidence interval:8.14-19.42;P<0.01)times higher compared to those with both normal weight and normal waist circumference. Conclusion The prevalence of MS is high in the subjects with normal weight-for-height.Weight-for-height should be combined with waist circumference in order to identify MS at early stage.