Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome between 1999 and 2014 in the U.S. adult population and the impact of the 2007-2008 recession: a NHANES study.

OBJECTIVES: To document changes in prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the U.S. adult population between 1999 and 2014 and to explore how variations in the dietary intakes explain changes in MetS prevalence and its components over time. METHODS: A total of 38,541 individuals (20-85 years; NHANES 1999-2014) were studied. Outcome variables were: MetS, waist circumference (WC), plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides, fasting glucose (FG) levels, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, dietary intakes (total daily energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, sodium and alcohol intakes), the poverty income ratio (PIR) and sociodemographic data (age, sex, ethnicity). RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of the MetS significantly increased between 1999 and 2014 (27.9% to 31.5%). High plasma FG levels and high WC increased between 1999 and 2014, while the prevalence of the other components of MetS decreased or remained stable. Interestingly, a peak significant in MetS prevalence was observed in 200...