Presence of the metabolic syndrome is evaluated using the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Subjects are classified as having the metabolic syndrome if ≥3 of the following criteria are met: (1) increased waist circumference (men ≥94 cm, women ≥80 cm), (2) hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dl=1.7 mmol/l), (3) low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl=1.03 mmol/l in men and <50 mg/dl=1.29 mmol/l in women), (4) high blood pressure (≥130/85 mmHg), (5) high fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dl).