Table 1 The definition of metabolic syndrome [2]

Waist circumference above ethnic-specific cut-off

≥ 90 cm in Asian men and ≥ 80 cm in Asian women; ≥ 102 cm in European men and ≥ 88 cm in European women

Elevated triglyceride

≥ 1.7 mmol/L OR use of a lipid-lowering agent(s)

Low HDL-cholesterol

< 1.0 mmol/L in men or < 1.3 mmol/L in women OR use of medication(s) for reduced-HDL

Elevated blood pressure

Systolic BP ≥ 130 and/or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mmHg OR use of anti-hypertensive agent(s)

Elevated fasting glucose

> 5.6 mmol/L OR use of a glucose-lowering agent(s)