People with the metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Screening of metabolic syndrome allows early recognition of individuals at risk for developing CVD. OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among the Korean Americans living in New York City. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional health examination survey. Using a standardized questionnaire, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) were recorded; serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting triglycerides (FTG), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were obtained. The definition of metabolic syndrome encompasses three or more of the following abnormalities: WHR >0.9 in men and >0.85 in women, BMI >23kg/m2, BP >140/>90mmHg, FPG >110mg/dL, HDL <40mg/dL in men and <50mg/dL in women, FTG >150mg/dL. RESULTS: Data were available in 686 Korean American subjects, 62% females. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our sample was 25%. Frequency of elevated BP, elevated TG, low HDL, and FPG were 32%, 21%, 29%, and 12%, respectively. Overall obesity, measured by BMI, was 35% and centrally obesity, measured by WHR, was 35%. When compared between men and women, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in men was 32% and 20% seen among the women (95% CI, 0.061, 0.198; p<0.001); increased central adiposity was similar in both men (35%) and women (35%); and FPG was significantly elevated in men (18%) than in women 9% (95% CI, 0.035, 0.142; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Multiple metabolic disorders are present in the Korean Americans. Early detection and treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and glucose intolerance can prevent the progression of diabetes mellitus and CVD.