Metabolic syndrome causes


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause, but all of the risks for the syndrome are related to obesity.

The two most important risk factors for metabolic syndrome are

 * Extra weight around the middle and upper parts of the body (central obesity). The body may be described as "apple-shaped."
 * Insulin resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin effectively.

Other risk factors include

 * Aging
 * Genetics and family history
 * Hormonal changes
 * Lack of exercise

People who have metabolic syndrome often have two other problems that can either cause the condition or make it worse

 * Excess blood clotting
 * Low levels of inflammation throughout the body