Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality affecting increasing number of people. This was a cross-sectional study aiming to identify the prevalence of MS and risk factors in women aged 20 years and older.
Methods: Study's universe consisted of women aged 20 years and older living in Gölbaşi Ali Soydan Health Centre's territory. Eight hundred fifty women were accessed among them. Data were collected by a questionnaire. Measurements were done in the health centre following fasting 12 hours. One way ANOVA, correlation and logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The mean age was 39.4 years, 62% have primary school education. Prevalence of MetS was found 39.1%; low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and abdominal obesity were the most common MetS components. On the contrary, education and age had negative correlation with HDL and positive correlation with other MetS components. Age (OR=1.091; 95%CI = 1.071-1.110; p=0.0001), and education lower than middle school (literate OR=2.491; 95%CI = 1.334-2.855; p=0.007; primary school OR=1.841; 95%CI 1.281-2.855; p=0.006) were found to increase MetS risk.
Conclusion: Even more than half of our study group who has urban life style has two or more MetS components. Because of older age, accelerant factor for MetS, improving of healthy lifestyle behaviors in study group with genetic and environmental risk factors should be primary goal in terms of prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.