Clinical characteristics of the study sample by age group and sex.

<p>variables are presented as the mean with 95% CI.</p><p>^† P < 0.05</p><p>^‡ P < 0.001</p><p>SBP, systolic blood pressure. DBP, diastolic blood pressure.</p><p>^a Prediabetes was defined according to the 2010 American Diabetes Association criteria.</p><p>^b Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were defined including myocardial infarction, balloon angioplasty and cardiac stenting, and coronary artery bypass surgery.</p><p>^c Definition of central obesity: waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women.</p><p>Clinical characteristics of the study sample by age group and sex.