Question

What is the role of physical activity/exercise in prevention, treatment and management of Metabolic Syndrome? In answering the question describe the following.

1. Describe Metabolic Syndrome and the metabolic risk factors associated with it.

2. How is physical activity/exercise or lack of relate to Metabolic Syndrome

3. Discuss the multiple factors that increase the risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Answer 1

Exercise regulates fat and glucose metabolism and results in an increased action of insulin, while it also lowers blood pressure and improves blood pressure control in overweight adults.

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Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Having just one of these conditions doesn't mean you have metabolic syndrome. But it does mean you have a greater risk of serious disease. And if you develop more of these conditions, your risk of complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, rises even higher.

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Lack of exercise is the main reason for the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome is also increasing in adult and pediatric populations worldwide. Insulin resistance is the most accepted underlying pathophysiological mechanism linking obesity to metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases. Insulin resistance results from adipose-tissue-released nonesterified fatty acids, glycerol, hormones, proinflammatory cytokines, and other factors.

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Risk factors

The following factors increase your chances of having metabolic syndrome:

• Age. Your risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age.
• Ethnicity. In the United States, Hispanics— especially Hispanic women — appear to be at the greatest risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
• Obesity. Carrying too much weight, especially in your abdomen, increases your risk of metabolic syndrome.
• Diabetes. You're more likely to have metabolic syndrome if you had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• Other diseases. Your risk of metabolic syndrome is higher if you've ever had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome or sleep apnea.