CONSENSUS DEFINITION OF METABOLIC SYNDROME

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) defines metabolic syndrome as follows. The statement can be found at www.idf.org

Central obesity PLUS any TWO of the following:

  • Raised TG (1.7mmol/L or more)

  • Reduced HDL (0.9mmol/L or less for men and 1.1mmol/L or less for women)

  • Raised BP (systolic 130mm Hg or more, or diastolic 85mm Hg or more)

  • Raised fasting glucose (above 5.6mmol/L- OGTT strongly recommended but not necessary to define metabolic syndrome)

METABOLIC SYNDROME AND WAIST MEASUREMENTS

The International Diabetes Federation's definition of metabolic syndrome, has as it’s basis, central obesity.  Different waist circumferences apply to different ethnic groups:

Eurpopids:  >94cm men and >80 cm women. (In the USA >102cm male and >88cm female continue to be used for clinical purposes)

South Asians: Chinese, Malay and Asian-Indian:  >90cm male; >80cm female.

Japanese: >85cm male; >90cm female (female > male).

Recommendations are not yet available for ethnic South and Central Americans, Sub-Saharan Africans, Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern (Arab) populations.