Metabolic Syndrome and Ethnic Groups
Metabolic syndrome is defined as the co-occurrence of metabolic risk factors for both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (i.e. abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension). Indeed, metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for subsequent development of type 2 diabetes and/or CVD. Thus, the key clinical implication of a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is the identification of a patient who needs aggressive lifestyle modification focused on weight reduction and increased physical activity. Multiple different phenotypes and ethnic-specific values for waist circumference are included within metabolic syndrome, with indications for differing treatment strategies. This book covers several aspects of metabolic syndrome, including its definition, diagnostic criteria, preventive measures, and treatment, as well as the possible association between ethnicity and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.