For the diagnosis of MS, the investigators used the classification from the International Diabetes Federation, and therefore participants were required to have three or more of the following criteria: a) waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women, b) triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, c) high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women, d) blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg; and e) fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL.