Jo, Yeon Soon;Kwak, Joung Ok;Kim, Young Sin;Park, Seo Young;Seong, Yeon Hee;Woo, Do Im;Lee, Kyeong Ok;Lee, Mi Suk;Lee, Jung Kyung;Jo, Hyeon Ju;Choi, Jeong Hui;Han, Jung Ae;Kim, Bongjeong
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Purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to identify associated factors with MetS among rural residents. Methods: Data were collected from 1,196 subjects over aged 30 years by a self-administered questionnaire, physical measurement, and blood test in a rural area. The prevalence of MetS was determined by the criteria of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) and 2005 the Korean society for the study of obesity. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 40.5% for men, 49.2% for women. The prevalence of risk factors of MetS was 57.4% for elevated blood pressure, 49.0% for low HDL-cholesterol, and 48.6% for abdominal obesity. Unemployment and higher Body mass index (BMI) were associated factors for MetS regardless of gender. And higher age and physical inactivity in women only increased the odds of the MetS. Especially, BMI was a strong risk factor of MetS in both men and women. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in a rural area. Therefore, health care providers should develop lifestyle modification program to increase physical activity level and to prevent the obesity among rural residents in order to decrease the prevalence of MetS.