손준석1, 조병만2, 김영욱1, 채창호1, 김찬우1, 김자현1

1성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성창원병원 직업환경의학과, 2부산대학교 의학전문대학원 예방의학교실

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The combination of an aging
population with a chronic diseased population is leading to an increase in the mortality rate due to cardiovascular
diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the
Korean population and to evaluate its related factors for sex differences.
Methods: From April 2007 to December 2008, a total of 2,729 volunteers aged 40-69 years living in Changwon
city underwent a clinical examination at a hospital in Changwon, Korea. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed
following the criteria defined in Circulation 2009. The clinical examination included measuring anthropometric
variables and cardiovascular risk factors, while lifestyle factors were assessed through a questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our sampling pool was 25.2% with a break down by sex
showing a rate of 30.2% in men and 22.2% in women. Related factors associated with metabolic syndrome
common to both sex were age, self-health assessment, and alcohol consumption. Sleep duration seemed to be
a related factor in men, while income, education, and menstruation status played significant roles in women.
Conclusions: To better manage metabolic syndrome, men need to be educated on alcohol use and women of
low socioeconomic status require particular attention as do the aging population and postmenopausal women.

Korean J Health Promot 2012;12(1):13-21
Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Prevalence, Sex differences