Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the association between socio-demographic and health-related factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male adolescents in Kuwait. Methods and Results: We used a cross sectional study with a sample of 303 male Kuwaiti adolescents of age 10 - 19 years, selected from intermediate and high schools. All had anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. In addition, a questionnaire for the evaluation of the association of a variety of socio-demographic and health-related factors with MetS was given to participants for assessing these factors. The presence of the MetS was assessed in each subject using two validated criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel Modified for age (NCEP-ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). We established that the prevalence of MetS by the ATP III and IDF criteria was respectively 9.8% and 11.7%. The educational level of both parents and factors such as weight, diet and physical activity associated significantly with the presence of MetS in Kuwaiti adolescents. Conclusions: The IDF gave higher values for the prevalence of MetS than the ATP III. Using either criterion, this information obtained in this study is important in planning strategies for prevention and control of this disorder.