Metabolic syndrome in adults: relation with diet and other lifestyle factors

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors that has the potential of developing into cardiovascular disease or increase the susceptibility to it. It is present worldwide with now even developing countries getting overwhelmed by its burden. With a shift towards unhealthy diet coupled with sedentary lifestyle, development of metabolic syndrome is on the rise even among young adults. One of the main causes of this problem is faulty diet, so any means to reduce the incidence of the syndrome involves the modification of the existing diets rich in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. This review focusses on efficacy of different dietary patterns for combating the syndrome along with other lifestyle risk factors. It also highlights newer advancements in the field of Metabolic Syndrome, which can serve as potential strategies to combat it. Public health interventions targeting adults, therefore, should center on prevention through education, modification of diet and lifestyle, and focusing on environment, so that these changes are acceptable and sustainable.

Metabolic Syndrome;

“…Pakistan has undergone almost 50% urbanization 10 , along with the use of energy-rich processed foods. 40 Even the local variant of fast food burger is very high in trans fatty acids, because of deep frying and low costs. Pakistanis develop IGT at a younger age, many having strong family history, clustering of cardio-metabolic disorders and high genetic susceptibility.…”