Metabolic syndrome is widely spread in population especially among subjects with 
risk factors of atherosclerosis related diseases. Since 1988 criteria of 
metabolic syndrome have undergone substantial transformation. Technical 
difficulties related to detection of insulin resistance created obstacles to 
application of the term "metabolic syndrome" in clinical practice. In 2001 
experts of National Cholesterol Education Program in USA suggested new set of 
criteria. The presence of 3 or more of the following 5 components (abdominal 
obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low level of high density lipoprotein 
cholesterol, hypertension and high fasting blood glucose) allows to diagnose 
metabolic syndrome. These worldwide used criteria do not imply detection of 
insulin resistance. Feasibility of this approach has been confirmed by analysis 
of correlation between presence of markers of insulin resistance and that of 
metabolic syndrome according to novel criteria. This analysis has shown that 
combination of 3 or more components is significantly associated with insulin 
resistance.