There seems to be a debate as to whether or not diagnosing metabolic syndrome is helpful in the management of those affected, and so you are not likely to hear this term much anymore. Although medical treatment might not change whether or not it is officially diagnosed, I have found naming the syndrome to be very helpful during patient education sessions.
The metabolic syndrome is the term used for a group of conditions that are known risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease(1). These conditions are excess abdominal fat, abnormal blood lipids, high blood pressure and high blood glucose(1).
Logic screams that if we wish to avoid Diabetes and cardiovascular disease, we need to manage the four risk factors. Of course we can take the necessary steps to manage them individually, but did you know that all of these risk factors share one single common cause? And the culprit is... insulin resistance associated with central adiposity(1) (belly fat, to put it simply)!
So right at the core of Type 2 Diabetes prevention is the reduction of insulin resistance (or increase in insulin sensitivity) through the reduction of belly fat.
If you’ve been struggling to lose weight around your middle, it might be time to contact your nearest Dietitian who can give you the appropriate guidelines to help you reach your goals.
1. Harris, M (2013) ‘The Metabolic Syndrome’ Australian Family Medicine. 42(8), pp 524-7.
2. Esposito, K., Chiodini, P., Colao, A., Lenzi, A., Giugliano, D. (2012) ‘Metabolic Syndrome and risk of cancer’, Diabetes Care. 35(11), pp 2402-2411.
