| Component | World Health Organization | European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance | ATP III (National Institutes of Health) | American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists | International Diabetes Federation | American Heart Association/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |
| Obesity | Waist/height ratio more than 0.85 in women, 0.90 in men; BMI of 30 or higher | Waist circumference 80 cm or higher in women and 94 cm or higher in men | Waist circumference of 88 cm in women, 102 or higher cm in men | BMI of 25 or higher or waist circumference of 88 cm or higher for women or 102 cm or higher for men | Waist circumference depending on ethnicity | Waist circumference more than 35 inches in women, 40 inches in men |
| Triglycerides or taking medication for high triglycerides | 150 mg/dL or higher | 150 mg/dL or higher or drug treatment for dyslipidemia | 150 mg/dL or higher or drug treatment for high triglycerides | 150 mg/dL or higher | 150 mg/dL or higher or drug treatment for high triglycerides | 150 mg/dL or higher or drug treatment for high triglycerides |
| HDL Women Men Both | Less than 40 mg/dL or less Less than 35 mg/dL | Less than 40 mg/dL | Less than 50 mg/dL Less than 40 mg/dL Or drug treatment for low HDL cholesterol | Less than 50 mg/dL Less than 40 mg/dL | Less than 50 mg/dL Less than 40 mg/dL Or drug treatment for low HDL cholesterol | Less than 50 mg/dL Less than 40 mg/dL Or drug treatment for low HDL cholesterol |
| Blood pressure | 140/90 or higher | 140/90 or higher or drug treatment for hypertension | 130/85 or higher or drug treatment for hypertension | 130/85 or higher | 130/85 or higher or drug treatment for hypertension | 130/85 or higher or drug treatment for hypertension |
| Marker of insulin sensitivity | Insulin resistance in top 25 percent; fasting glucose of 110 mg/dL or higher | Insulin resistance or fasting hyperin-sulinemia in top 25 percent | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Fasting blood glucose | ---- | 110–125 mg/dL | 100 mg/dL or higher or drug treatment for elevated glucose | 110 mg/dL or higher | 100 mg/dL or higher, or type 2 diabetes | 100 mg/dL or higher, or drug treatment for elevated blood glucose |
Learn about our editorial policies