Sex-Specific Differences in Metabolic Syndrome Classification Using IDF Versus NCEP-ATP III Criteria: A Systematic Review and Head-to-Head Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) classification varies between the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) definitions. We compared their same-sample classification yield by sex.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from database inception through 30 August 2026, with reference-list screening and citation tracking. Eligible observational studies assessed both definitions in the same adult sample; intervention-effect reports without an eligible observational comparison were outside the scope. One reviewer performed selection, extraction, and JBI-based appraisal. Random-effects models pooled sex-specific prevalence and prevalence ratios; revised ATP III was examined in sensitivity analysis. The review was not registered.