‘Syndrome’ is a term used to describe a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and can lead to a particular condition. Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of health conditions that put you at risk of certain chronic illnesses. Therefore, metabolic syndrome is not a disease itself but a set of symptoms that could put you at risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer.
A comprehensive review and analysis of 87 studies, involving a total of 951,083 patients, found that having metabolic syndrome significantly increases various health risks:
The risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 135%
The risk of death from cardiovascular causes increases by 140%
The risk of death from any cause increases by 58%
The risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) increases by 99%
The risk of stroke increases by 127%
Source: PubMed
The American Heart Association defines metabolic syndrome as a group of five conditions. When a person has 3 or more of these conditions will fulfil the criteria of metabolic syndrome.
1. High blood glucose
2. Low levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood
3. High levels of triglycerides in the blood
4. Large waist circumference or “apple-shaped” body
5. High blood pressure
A common misconception among the public is that BMI is a definitive reflection of metabolic health. If your BMI is over 30 kg/m², you are categorically labeled as obese. While this method is frequently utilised by clinicians, it has limitations, particularly for individuals with high muscle-to-fat ratios or those of Asian descent.
Research has shown that many patients with metabolic diseases fall within the normal BMI category, and in Scandinavian populations, many individuals classified as obese by BMI are metabolically healthy. This demonstrates that you can be labeled obese but be metabolically healthy, or not obese but metabolically unhealthy.
BMI provides only a general idea of body fat, but understanding your metabolic health involves more than just knowing your total fat mass. The critical factor is where this fat is distributed. The pathological concern for metabolic diseases lies in visceral fat—the fat that surrounds your organs—not the subcutaneous fat under your skin.
The number on the scale does not directly reflect your metabolic health. Instead, focusing on waist circumference can better indicate the risks associated with visceral fat. Notably, the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines include waist circumference, but not BMI, as one of the criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome.
Link to research studies concluding that visceral fat is a better predictor of metabolic syndrome: NIH Study
To truly understand your metabolic health, we need to look beyond the numbers on the scale. Consider factors such as blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. The ratio of triglycerides to HDL can provide insights into your insulin sensitivity. Stay tuned as we discuss these aspects further in the coming article.
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