Objective:To learn the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS)and dietary patterns among adult residents in Jiangsu Province,so as to provide basis for the nutritional intervention. Methods:Totally 10 568 adults aged over 18 years old were randomly selected from 10 investigation sites in clusters,their general information,food intake were investigated and medical examination were made. The dietary patterns were sorted with factor analysis. The prevalences under different quartiles of factor scores were compared with Chi-Squared test. The effect of dietary patterns on MS was analyzed with logistic regression. Results:Four dietary patterns were categorized,traditional,animal food dominated,fast food dominated and legume dominated. The traditional pattern was related to the prevalence for overweight/obesity (χ2=15.2,P < 0.05). The legume dominated pattern was related to the prevalence for overweight/obesity,hypertension and MS (overweight/obesity:χ2=30.1,P < 0.01;Hypertension:χ2=18.9,P < 0.01;MS prevalence:χ2=8.3,P < 0.05). After multiple confounding factors were adjusted,it was indicated that traditional dietary pattern was the risk factor for overweight/obesity (OR:1.41),while the legume dominated pattern was the protective factor against overweight/obesity,hypertension and MS (the OR was 0.56,0.79,and 0.91,respectively). Conclusion:Dietary patterns are related to metabolic syndrome and its components. Increase the intake of legumes and control the intake of energy may play important roles in the prevention of metabolic syndrome.