Table 1 Formal and surrogate metabolic syndrome characteristics used to define electronic health record metabolic syndrome categories.

Central obesity

Waist circumference >102 cm (40") in men, >88 cm (35") in women

Body mass index ≥ 29.1 kg/m² in men, ≥ 27.2 kg/m² in women;

if height missing, weight ≥ 94.4 kg (201 lbs) in men, ≥ 73.6 kg (162 lbs) in women*

Elevated blood pressure ‡

Average of last two readings ≥ 130 and/or ≥ 85 mmHg or diagnosis of hypertension on problem list and antihypertensive agent on medication list

Any of: one blood pressure ≥ 130 and/or ≥ 85 mmHg; on anti-hypertensive medication but no diagnosis on problem list; hypertension from billing codes

Elevated glucose

Fasting plasma glucose >5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL)

Any plasma glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL)

Elevated triglycerides

Fasting plasma level ≥ 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL)

Any plasma level ≥ 2.3 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)

Low HDL cholesterol

Plasma level <1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) in men, <1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) in women

Plasma total cholesterol >5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)