IDF Worldwide Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of the most dangerous heart attack risk factors: diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

• A quarter of the world’s adults have metabolic syndrome
• People with metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to die from, and three times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared with people without the syndrome
• People with metabolic syndrome have a five-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Up to 80% of the 200 million people with diabetes globally will die of cardiovascular disease
• This puts metabolic syndrome and diabetes way ahead of HIV/AIDS in morbidity and mortality terms yet the problem is not as well recognised

Earlier diagnosis is needed to stop this global time bomb. The new International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Worldwide Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome provides physicians with the tools to quickly identify those at risk and also to compare the impact across nations and ethnic groups. The new IDF worldwide definition was developed during a unique consensus workshop.

• IDF Consensus Worldwide Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome (24-page booklet, pdf 745KB)
• IDF worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome (pdf, 131KB)
• IDF consensus definition of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents

Documents related to the IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome (adults): 

• Rationale behind the IDF definition (pdf, 81KB)
• The consensus workshop (pdf, 78KB)
• Diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (pdf, 114KB)
• Frequently asked questions
• Order a print copy of the IDF consensus

Related Articles:

• Special issue of Diabetes Voice on the metabolic syndrome
• The 1st International Congress on Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome - Diabetes Voice Vol. 50 Issue 2
• A new IDF worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome: the rationale and the results - Diabetes Voice Vol. 50 Issue 3
• Download 'The Metabolic Syndrome: Perhaps an Etiologic Mystery but Far From a Myth - Where Does the International Diabetes Federation Stand'*, first published on Medscape. 

* Reprinted with permission from Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology 2005; 7(2):
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/514211 © 2005 Medscape