**4. Global epidemiology of metabolic syndrome**

Due to the aging population, global increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of MetSy is increasing throughout the world and it has become an epidemic of the 21st century [18]. Prevalence rates vary widely due to the criteria used, age of the population, gender, ethnic group, prevalence of obesity in the background population, and environment. The incidence of MetSY often parallels the incidence of obesity and incidence of T2DM. The global prevalence of MetSy has be estimated to be about one quarter of the World population [19]. The prevalence of MetSy is 0–50% or more in African populations, commoner in females and increases with age and urban housing (Okafor, 2012) [20].
