Objectives: To determine prevalence of themetabolic syndrome using United Stat es Adult Treatment Panel-3 (ATP-3) guidelines in an urban Indian population. M ethods: Randomly selected adults >20 years were studied using stratified samplin g. Target study sample was 1800 with population proportionate distribution (men 960, women 840). Evaluati on of anthropometric variables, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids was performed. Subjects(1123; response 62.4%) were examined, fasting blood sam ples were available in 1091(532 men, 559 women) and analysed for prevalence of m etabolic syndrome. Atherosclerosis risk factors were determined using the curren t guidelines. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed when any three of the following w ere present: central obesity, raised triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl (≥1.7 mmol/l), l ow high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure ≥130/≥85mm Hg, and diabetes or fasting glucose >110 mg/dl (>6.1 mmol/l). Intergroup comparisons were performed using t test or chi square test. Results: Metabolic syndrome w as present in 345 (31.6%) subjects; prevalencewas 122 (22.9%) in men and 223 ( 39.9%) in women(p< 0.001); the age adjusted prevalence was 24.9%, 18.4%in me n and 30.9%in women. There was a significant age related increase in its preva lence(Mantel Haenzel χ2 for trend p< 0.05). Prevalence of components of metabo lic syndrome in men and women was: central obesity (waist, men>102 cm, women>88 cm) in 116 (25.6%) and 246 (44.0%); low HDL cholesterol(men<40 mg/dl,<1.0 mmol /l), women< 50 mg/dl,<1.3 mmol/l) in 292 (54.9%) and 504(90.2%); high triglyce rides ≥150 mg/dl(≥1.7 mmol/l) in 172 (32.3%) and 160 (28.6%); and impaired f asting glucose or diabetes in 90(16.9%) and 90 (16.1%). The prevalence of phys ical inactivity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia(≥200 mg/dl, ≥5.2 mmol/l) a nd high LDL cholesterol (≥130 mg/dl, ≥3.4 mmol/l) was greater in the metabolic syndrome group in both men and women (p< 0.05). Conclusions: There is a high pr evalence of metabolic syndrome in an urban Indian population. Focus of cardiovas cular prevention should be at this high risk group. Objectives: To determine prevalence of themetabolic syndrome using United Stats Adult Treatment Panel-3 (ATP-3) guidelines in an urban Indian population. M ethods: randomly selected adults> 20 years were studied using stratified samplin g. Target study sample was 1800 With population proportionate distribution (men 960, women 840). Evaluati on of anthropometric variables, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids was performed. Subjects (1123; response 62.4%) were examined, fasting blood sam ples were available in 1091 men, 559 women) and analyzed for prevalence of etabolic syndrome. Atherosclerosis risk factors were determined using the curren t guidelines. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed when any three of the following w ere present: central obesity, raised triglycerides ≥ 150 mg / dl ( ≥1.7 mmol / l), l ow high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure ≥130 / ≥85 mm Hg, and diabetes or fasting glucose> 110 mg / dl Results: Metabolic syndrome w as present in 345 (31.6%) subjects; prevalence was 122 (22.9%) in men and 223 (39.9%) in women (p <0.001); the age adjusted prevalence was 24.9%, 18.4% in me n and 30.9% in women. There was a significant age related increase in its prevalence (Mantel Haenzel χ2 for trend p <0.05). Prevalence of components of metabo lic syndrome in men and women was: central obesity (waistline> 102 cm, women> 88 cm) in 116 (25.6%) and 246 (44.0% high triglyce rides ≥150 mg / dl (≥1.7 mmol / l) in 172 (32.3%) and 160 (28.6%); and prevalence of asthma or glucose in 90 (16.9%) and 90 (16.1%). The prevalence of physical inactivity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia (≥ 200 mg / dl, ≥ 5.2 mmol / 130 mg / dl,> 3.4 mmol / l) was greater in the metabolic syndrome group both men and women (p <0.05). Co nclusions: There is ahigh prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an urban Indian population. Focus of cardiovascular prevention should be at this high risk group.