Introduction There is no applicable model for identifying the metabolic syndrome in adolescent populations. The aim of this study was to identify the most components of risk variables associated with metabolic syndrome in Iranian adolescents.

Methods Anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were assessed in a population-based study of 1307 Iranian adolescents (563 boys and 744 girls) aged 8–11 years in two phases, 1999–2001 and 2005-2007. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using SPSS version.15.

Results A two-factor structure was identified accounting for 55.8% and 53.8% of variance for boys and girls, respectively. The factor loadings for boys (and girls) in study round one two were 0.87 (0.84). 0.88 (0.82), 0.67 (0.63), 0.75 (0.8) and −0.80 (0.81) for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP, waist circumference (WC), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) respectively. In phase two, the factor loadings for boys (and girls) were 0.74 (0.86), 0.76 (0.83), 0.72 (0.43), 0.75 (0.74), −0.72 (−0.77) for SBP, DBP, WC, TG and HDL, respectively. Fasting blood sugar had a loading factor of 0.47 only in boys in study round two. The two-factor model fit the data significantly in both study rounds by sex (Comparative fit index: 0.77–0.97).

Conclusion The two-factor model could be used for determining metabolic syndrome in adolescents in Iran; these two factors are blood pressure, and lipid profile/obesity.