Approach to treatment of the patient with metabolic syndrome: lifestyle therapy.
The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III definition of the metabolic syndrome identifies those at high risk for diabetes mellitus and/or a cardiac event by clustering a number of easily measured clinical findings, including abdominal obesity, elevated plasma levels of triglycerides, low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated fasting blood glucose, and elevated blood pressure. The presence of > or = 3 of these 5 risk factors justifies a diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. This article focuses on root causes of the syndrome (atherogenic diet, sedentary lifestyle, and overweight/obesity) and highlights recent studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of therapeutic lifestyle changes in improving or preventing the components of the metabolic syndrome. We offer a practical approach with a focus that embraces not only patients, but also physicians and healthcare professionals as well as the larger healthcare system.
Stone
Neil J
NJ
Department of Medicine, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. n-stone@northwestern.edu
Saxon
David
D
D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors