Abstract： Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome(MS)in Guangzhou residents.Methods A community-based survey on MS was carried out with multi-stage stratified and cluster sampling method.Analysis of the MS prevalence rate was conducted among 6701 adults aged 15 years and over based on the diagnostic criteria of International Diabetes Federation(IDF).The relative risk factors for MS were explored through logistic regression analysis.Results The crude prevalence of MS was 18.8%,and the age-adjusted prevalence was 13.7%,with 12.7% and 23.1% in male and female,respectively.The prevalence of MS was higher in females than in males(age-adjusted prevalence 16.6% in female and 10.2% in male).The ageing-specific prevalence of MS was increased in both male and female residents.The MS prevalence having at least 3 MS components was 25.9%.The major relative risk fators of MS were sex,age,education,smoke,area and body mass index(BMI).ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS is high in Guangzhou residents.It is necessary to take comprehensive measures to prevent and control MS in community.