Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 47 4 2018 04 23 473 480 Saeideh MAZLOOMZADEH Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Zahra RASHIDI KHAZAGHI Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Nouraddin MOUSAVINASAB Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran 2018 04 22 2018 04 22 Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS)is a collection of metabolic disorders which leads to early cardiovascular disease and diabetes type II. Regarding the wide range of its prevalence in Iran, this systematic review and meta-analysis determined the overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Iran. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the Medline, ISI, IranMedex, and SID were searched using "metabolic syndrome", "syndrome X", "prevalence", and "Iran" keywords from 2002 to 2012. A total of 223 articles were found in which 14 studies were considered for meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using fixed and random model and meta-regression in STATA. Results: The prevalence of MS for those who were 20 yr and older was 23. 8% (95%CI: 18. 99-28. 67) and in under 20 was 10. 98% (95%CI: 7. 75-14. 2). Metabolic syndrome was more frequent in women (25. 5%) than in men (17. 16%) and was increased with increasing age. The most frequent component of metabolic syndrome was low HDL cholesterol (59. 7%) followed by hypertriglyceridemia (39. 5%). Conclusion: Regarding a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and some of its components such as low HDL and high triglyceride in our country, implementation of programs for metabolic syndrome prevention is necessary.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/13141 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/13141/5944