 We will use the definition of metabolic syndrome described by de Ferranti: Participants are defined as having metabolic syndrome if they meet or exceed the criteria for 3 or more of the following 5 variables: 1 triglycerides 1.1 mmolL; 2 HDL cholesterol 1.3 mmolL; 3 fasting blood glucose 6.1 mmolL; 4 waist circumference cm 75th percentile for age and sex; and 5 systolic or diastolic blood pressure mm Hg 90th percentile for age, sex, and height. 