It is estimated that over 50 million Americans have metabolic syndrome. The syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States due to the rise in obesity rates among adults.
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People with metabolic syndrome are four times as likely to develop heart disease and seven times as likely to develop diabetes as someone without metabolic syndrome. About 85 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes also have metabolic syndrome.
The dominant risk factors appear to be abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.
Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that increase your chance for heart disease and other health problems such as type 2 diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke.
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Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a person has at least three of these heart disease risk factors: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, high triglyceride level, low level of HDL “good” cholesterol, and elevated glucose (blood sugar) level after fasting.
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The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age, affecting less than 10 percent of people in their 20s and 40 percent of people in their 60s. However, some research shows that about one in eight schoolchildren has three or more components of the syndrome.
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A body mass index (BMI) – a measure of your percentage of body fat based on height and weight – greater than 25 and obesity around your waist (“apple shape”) increases risk.
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A family history of type 2 diabetes or a history of diabetes during pregnancy increases risk.
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Researchers have found that the risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases during perimenopause – the years when a woman’s body begins to transition into menopause, usually starting in her 40s. A study found the risk is related to increases in testosterone activity.
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A diagnosis of high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease increases risk along with a higher than normal triglyceride level in the blood.
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Additional conditions that are being studied to see whether they have links to metabolic syndrome include fatty liver, gallstones, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and a resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body are risk factors.
Healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent metabolic syndrome.
Losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can reduce insulin levels and blood pressure as well as decrease your risk of diabetes.
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It is recommended that getting 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, such as brisk walking 5 to 7 days a week reduces risk.
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Check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels on a regular basis. Also, eat fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed or deep-fried foods. Choose fish over red meat. Limit the amount of sodium and salt. Include foods high in soluble fiber such as whole grain cereals.
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Quit smoking. Smoking will raise your triglyceride levels, lower your HDL cholesterol, and increase your insulin resistance.
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Researchers have found a correlation between drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome. The risk is 34 percent higher among those who drink a can of diet soda a day.
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A recent study shows those who eat at irregular times run a greater risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Those who rarely eat a regular breakfast, lunch and dinner have a larger waist size and more blood lipid disorders than those who eat more regularly.
Sources Cited: American Heart Association; Mayo Clinic; Science Daily; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; New York Times; CBS News; MSNBC/Reuters; and Washington and Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals. The Health Tip of the Week is for educational purposes only. For additional information, consult your physician. Please feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.