This study evaluated the determinants of the metabolic syndrome.

Data were collected through structured questionnaire survey and health examination from 201 male workers aged 30~51 years in an electronics manufacturing company during September 2004. The metabolic syndrome and abdominal obesity were assessed according to the NCEP-ATP III definition and the Asia-Pacific guidelines (waist circumference > 90 cm for men). Age adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the metabolic syndrome were computed using logistic regression.

The unadjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 10.5% in male workers. Seventy three workers(35.4%) had 2 or more metabolic risk factors. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome components was 48.3% for high triglyceride, 40.3% for abdominal obesity, 30.3% for high blood pressure, 8.0% for low HDL-cholesterol, and 2.5% for high blood sugar. The age adjusted odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome was significantly increased in the study population having physical inactivity (unit, 100 kcal/day; OR, 1.142; 95% CI, 1.014~1.286).

Weight reduction and physical exercise may decrease the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among male workers.