Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions including metabolic and nonmetabolic disorders, which are related to defects in insulin sensitivity, risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. People suffering with this syndrome show resistance to insulin and hence it is called as insulin resistance syndrome or metabolic syndrome X or Reaven’s syndrome.^1–3Apart from insulin resistance, the other components of metabolic syndrome includes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia and hyperleptinemia.

It was Reaven who first described metabolic syndrome X as a cluster of diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease with dyslipidemia in 1988.⁴

It will be very helpful if the disease is recognized at early stages to have an optimistic impact and decrease long-term morbidity.

Occurence of Metabolic Syndrome in Different Groups

A large proportion of people have being affected with the abnormalities of metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown that more than 70% of adults have at least one major characteristic of the metabolic syndrome.⁵

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varies among countries. Studies among population suggest an age-standardized prevalence of this syndrome and are 15.7% in men and 14.2% in women.⁶ Data from studies indicate that high prevalence is due to increasing obesity and inactive lifestyles. Some changes in lifestyle like low fat diet and exercises would be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.⁷