Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors among 10,348 police officers in a large city of China: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its risk factors among the police officers in a large city of China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10,348 police officers in 2017 in Changsha, a provincial capital located in central-south China. All participants underwent a physical examination to measure the compotents of MS and completed a questionnaire to collect data on potential risk factors. According to the current guidelines of China, MS was defined as the presence of any 3 of the following five traits: abdominal obesity, defined as a waist circumference ≥90 cm in men and ≥85 cm in women; fasting serum triglycerides ≥1.70 mmol/L, or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides; fasting serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.03 mmol/L, or drug treatment for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg, or drug treatment for elevated blood pressure; fasting plasma glucose ≥6.1 mmol/L, or 2-hour plasma glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L after a 75-g oral glucose load, or drug treatment for elevated blood glucose. The prevalence of MS was 23.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.2%–24.2%). The main risk factors associated with MS were older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.546, 95% CI 1.431–1.670), being male (OR 11.256, 95%CI 7.147–17.726), alcohol consumption (OR 1.250, 95% CI 1.070–1.461), and tobacco use (OR 1.398, 95% CI 1.232–1.586). Exercise was associated with decreased risk of MS (OR 0.865, 95% CI 0.755–0.991). The prevalence of MS was low in the study population. Its risk factors were similar to those identified in the general population of China. Lifestyle intervention is warranted in policemen to reduce the risk of MS and prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease.