A Call for Effective Lifestyle Interventions in Preventing Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions, defined by the presence of at least three of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity; high triglycerides; low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol; high blood pressure and high fasting glucose. The burden of MetS is increasing worldwide with approximately one-quarter of the global adult population affected. In low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria which are experiencing epidemiological, demographic and nutrition transition, MetS is also becoming a growing public health challenge.