1. Take the Metabolic Syndrome Quiz
2. Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
3. A Visual Guide to Heart Disease

Medical Author:

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C) is an Attending Physician with the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Associate Director of Clinical Research, Recruitment and Phenotyping with the Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Metabolic syndrome is unfortunately common. Approximately 20%-30% of the population in industrialized countries have metabolic syndrome. It is thought to affect approximately 50 million people in the US alone.

Weight is a significant influence on the development of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is present in about 5% of people with normal body weight; it is present in about 22% of individuals who are overweight, and 60% of individuals considered obese. Adults who continue to gain five or more pounds per year raise their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by up to 45%.

As is true with many medical conditions, genetics and the environment both play important roles in the development of the metabolic syndrome. Genetic factors influence each individual component of the syndrome, and the syndrome itself. A family history that includes type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and early heart disease greatly increases the chance that an individual will develop the metabolic syndrome. Environmental issues such as low activity level, sedentary lifestyle, and progressive weight gain also contribute significantly to the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.

Obesity is likely the greatest risk factor for metabolic syndrome; however other risk factors of concern include:

• women who are post-menopausal
  
  
• smoking
  
  
• eating an excessively high carbohydrate diet
  
  
• lack of activity (even without weight change)

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