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

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

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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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is metabolic syndrome?
• How is metabolic syndrome defined?
• How common is metabolic syndrome?
• What causes, and what are the risk factors and symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
• Why should I know about metabolic syndrome?
• What is the treatment for metabolic syndrome?
• Diet and metabolic syndrome
• Exercise and metabolic syndrome
• Cosmetic surgery to remove fat
• What if lifestyle changes are not enough to treat metabolic syndrome?
• Summary
• Metabolic Syndrome FAQs
• Patient Comments: Metabolic Syndrome - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Metabolic Syndrome - Effective Treatments
• Find a local Internist in your town
• Metabolic Syndrome Index

Metabolic syndrome is quite common. Approximately 32% of the population in the U.S. has metabolic syndrome. Around 25% of adults in Europe and Latin America are estimated to have the condition, and rates are rising in developing East Asian countries. Within the US, Mexican Americans have the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age, and about 40% of people over 60 are affected.

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.

Metabolic syndrome is present in about 5% of people with normal body weight, 22% of those who are overweight and 60% of those considered obese. Adults who continue to gain five or more pounds per year raise their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by up to 45%.

While obesity itself is likely the greatest risk factor, others factors of concern include:

• women who are post-menopausal,
• smoking,
• eating an excessively high carbohydrate diet,
• lack of activity (even without weight change), and
• consuming an alcohol-free diet.