ORIGINAL ARTICLE Metabolic syndrome between two ethnic minority groups (Circassians and Chechens) and the original inhabitants of Jordan Rana Dajani • Yousef S. Khader • Nancy Hakooz • Raja Fatahalla • Farouk Quadan Received: 29 March 2012 / Accepted: 4 June 2012 / Published online: 28 June 2012 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012 Abstract The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing worldwide and exhibits variation among ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components between two ethnic groups (Circassians and Chechens) in Jordan and the original inhabitants of Jordan. Data were collected from a cross-sectional study of Cir- cassian (n = 436), Chechen (n = 355), and Jordanian (n = 3234) population aged 18 years and older. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Age-standardized prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome was Jordanians 38.0 %, Circassians 32.0 %, and Chechens 33.7 %. Compared to Jordanians, both minority groups had lower means of body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides. The means of high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein were significantly higher among Circassians compared to Jordanians and Chechens. The odds of BMI defined by overweight and obesity and diabetes were less common among Circassians and Chechens compared to Jordanians. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its individual components is relatively high in the three ethnic groups compared to world. Variation in components between groups may relate to ethnicity. Therefore, a community-based integrated approach is needed that would include behavioral, social changes that would lead to the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. Keywords Metabolic syndrome Á Epidemiology Á Ethnic Á Jordan Á Circassians Á Chechens Abbreviations CVD Cardiovascular disease DBP Diastolic blood pressure LDL Low-density lipoprotein HDL High-density lipoprotein MeS Metobolic syndrome SBP Systolic blood pressure Introduction Observational studies around the world reveal profound disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors in ethnic minority groups (1–3). The genesis of the disparities in CVD and CVD risk factors is still incom- pletely understood. Such disparities are undoubtedly mul- tifactorial, involving a complex interplay of behavioral, biological, and societal factors. CVD is emerging as a major health problem in the Eastern Mediterranean region, where the proportion of deaths from CVD ranges from 25 to 45 % [1]. CVD is the leading cause of death in Jordan accounting for more than 35 % of all deaths [2]. Previous studies in Jordan reported high and increasing prevalence rates of CVD risk factors including diabetes mellitus [3], obesity [4], hypertension [5], dyslipidemia [6], R. Dajani (&) Á R. Fatahalla Á F. Quadan Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan e-mail: rdajani@hu.edu.jo Y. S. Khader Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University for Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan N. Hakooz Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan 123 Endocrine (2013) 43:112–119 DOI 10.1007/s12020-012-9723-y