National trends in metabolic syndrome among adults in Mongolia from three cross-sectional surveys in 2009, 2013 and 2019

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The study aimed to estimate the proportion and associated factors of MetS among individuals (≥15 years) across three cross-sectional surveys in 2009, 2013 and 2019 in Mongolia. Cross-sectional data were analysed from 6,321 individuals (15–64/69 years, median age = 42 years) that participated in the 2009, 2013 or 2019 Mongolia STEPS surveys, and had complete MetS (harmonized definition) measurements. Almost two in five participants (35.6%) had MetS, 33.3% in 2009, 35.3% in 2013, ad 37.0% in 2019 (p-for trend 0.023). In adjusted logistic regression analyses, older age was associated with MetS in 2009 and in 2019, male sex and higher education were associated with MetS in 2013, and urban residence was associated with MetS in 2009. Current tobacco use was associated with MetS in 2009 and 2019, moderate or high physical activity was protective against MetS in 2013 and 2019, while general overweight and obesity increased the odds of MetS in 2009, 2013, and 2019. The study showed that almost two in five adults were identified as having MetS, which significantly increased from 2009 to 2019, and that several predictors of MetS were found. •The prevalence of MetS (harmonized definition) increased significantly from 33.3% in 2009 to 37.0% in 2019.•Older age, overweight/obesity, current tobacco use, and low physical activity increased the odds of MetS.•High waist circumference was the highest, followed by high blood pressure and high total cholesterol.