There is accumulating evidence suggesting that inflammation is the bridging link between cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have shown a relationship between inflammatory markers and modifiable lifestyle factors including fitness, diet, exercise and smoking. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 195 patients with metabolic syndrome. Data on nutritional intake, physical activity level and smoking habits were collected through a questionnaire. Weight and body composition were determined and C-reactive protein and interluekin-6 concentrations were measured. C-reactive protein level had a significant association with body mass index (r = 0.18), adiposity (r = 0.23), smoking (r = 0.20), carbohydrate intake (r = 0.19) and saturated fatty acid (r = 0.20). Interluekin-6 concentration was significantly correlated with dietary carbohydrate (r = 0.15), saturated fatty acid (r = 0.15) and glycaemic load (r = 0.15). No association was observed between physical activity level and inflammatory markers.