Prevalence and correlates of the metabolic syndrome in a cross-sectional community-based sample of 18-100 year-olds in Morocco: Results of the first national STEPS survey in 2017.

Background and Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This investigation assessed prevalence and correlates of MetS among adults (18-100 years) in Morocco.
Method: Cross-sectional data with complete MetS measurements were analysed from 4555 18-100 year old individuals (median age = 40 years) that took part in the "2017 Morocco STEPS survey." MetS was classified using the harmonized definition.
Results: Two in five participants (40.0%) had MetS, 31.9% among men and 48.0% among women. The average frequency of the five MetS components was 1.9 (1.3 = SD) among men and 2.5 (1.1 = SD) among women. In adjusted logistic and linear regression models, general overweight/obesity, older age, female sex, abnormal waist to hip ratio and low physical activity were associated with the prevalence of MetS and the greater average frequency of MetS components. In addition, in unadjusted analysis, higher education, never married, current smoking and current alcohol use were negatively and urban residence and sedentary behaviour were positively associated with MetS.
Conclusion: The study showed that two in five adults were identified as having MetS and that several predictors of MetS were found.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest “The authors declare that they have no competing interests.”
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