Which of the following is a primary component used to define metabolic syndrome?

The primary component used to define metabolic syndrome is abdominal obesity, particularly when waist circumference exceeds certain thresholds. In the context of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity is typically defined as a waist measurement greater than 35 inches for women and greater than 40 inches for men. Excess fat accumulation around the abdomen is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.

While triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol are also important components in assessing metabolic syndrome, they are not defining criteria in the same way abdominal obesity is. For instance, having triglyceride levels over 150 mg/dL, blood pressure readings at or above 130/85 mmHg, and low HDL levels (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) are risk factors but are used alongside waist circumference to establish the full syndrome. Thus, abdominal obesity serves as a critical determinant in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, highlighting its centrality in the condition's definition.