Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome by Cheryl Winter, M.S., R.D., R.N.

As mentioned above, Metabolic Syndrome is closely linked to insulin resistance. According to the American Heart Association, one group of such people are those with diabetes who have a defect in insulin action and can’t maintain a proper level of glucose in their blood. Another is people, mainly those with high blood pressure, who are nondiabetic and insulin-resistant, but who compensate by secreting large amounts of insulin. This condition is known as hyperinsulinemia. A third group is heart attack survivors who, unlike hypertensives, have hyperinsulinemia without having abnormal glucose levels.

How Prevalent is Metabolic Syndrome?

The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome is 25% in United States adults, and this increases with advancing age, increasing BMI and certain ethnicities, but overall, the individuals with Metabolic Syndrome are more alike than dissimilar across these groups. Metabolic Syndrome is a high cardiovascular risk state that is probably higher than the sum of it’s components.

How is Metabolic Syndrome Treated and/or Prevented?

Therapies aimed at reducing insulin resistance, is the main treatment for the Metabolic Syndrome. WEIGHT LOSS of approximately 10% has been shown to significantly decrease insulin resistance, and it should be the primary target of intervention due to its ripple effect in other areas, including hypertension, increased triglycerides, decreased LDL, and decreased insulin resistance. The secondary target of intervention is EXERCISE, due to its ripple effects of decreased weight (improved insulin resistance), decreased blood glucose, decreased triglycerides, increased HDL and decreased blood pressure.

Other steps of treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome

•Monitor blood glucose, lipoproteins and blood

pressure

•Treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia

•Choose drug therapy for hypertensive people with

care—different agents have different effects on

insulin sensitivity

With the rate of obesity increasing at such an alarming rate, metabolic syndrome will be one of our nation’s greatest challenges of the 21st century. It’s imperative that we prevent or defer the progression of this disease, and reduce the associated risk factors, as described above.

References

American Heart Association

Bray G., Champagne, C. Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome:

Implications for Dietetics Practitioners.

J of the Am Dietetic Association. 2004; 104 (1):86-89.

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Cheryl Winter, M.S., R.D., R.N. is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Registered Nurse and ACSM Fitness Instructor. Cheryl is owner and operator of HealthSteps Rx, Inc. at http://www.HealthStepsRx.com a wellness organization that will help you Build a Better Life…One Step at a Time.

Learn all about HealthSteps Rx, Inc. Weight Management Program via TeleClasses, without leaving your home or office: http://www.healthstepsrx.com/services/online/steppower.htm

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BIO:

Cheryl Winter, M.S., R.D., R.N. is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Registered Nurse and ACSM Fitness Instructor. Cheryl is owner and operator of HealthSteps Rx, Inc. at http://www.HealthStepsRx.com a wellness organization that will help you Build a Better Life…One Step at a Time.

Learn all about HealthSteps Rx, Inc. Weight Management Program via TeleClasses, without leaving your home or office: http://www.healthstepsrx.com/services/online/steppower.htm

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