Abstract: Objective To explore the distribution of body mass index (BMI),waist circumference (WC)and its cut-off value for metabolic syndrome(MS)in comm unity people.Methods B ased on plulation survey data in Xuzhou, metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS)in 2004.The correlation coefficient of BMI and WC were calculated using SPSS 13.0, and the cut-off value of waist circum ference form etabolic syndrome was determ fined with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)according to the maxinum Youden's index.Results The correlation coefficient of BMI and WC was 0.780 formale and 0.788 for female (P<0.05 for both).The cut-off value of WC for metabolic syndrome was 88.5 cm,78.5 cm formale and female, respcetively.Conclusion There is a strong correlation between BMI and WC.The cut-off value of WC for metabolic syndroma in the community people according to the ROC is sinilar to that of diagnostic criteria of DF (2005) and ATP (2005).