• Many Americans are at risk for type-2 diabetes because of their lifestyle habits. In a recent survey, only about 1 in 4 Americans ate the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. More than half of surveyed adults either did not engage in any physical activity or were not regularly active.

• The epidemic of type-2 diabetes also is affecting children. In the past, very few children were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes; today, a growing percentage of children with newly diagnosed diabetes have type-2. This increasing rate has occurred in tandem with an increase in childhood obesity, as youngsters eat more and are less physically active.

 

Metabolic Syndrome: A Cluster of Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Metabolic Syndrome represents a group of cardiac risk factors that often occur together. These risk factors are listed on this slide. They include abdominal obesity, triglycerides above 150mg/dL, an HDL cholesterol above 40 for men and 50 for women, blood pressure above 130 over 85, and a fasting glucose above 110. The presence of three or more of these risk factors requires aggressive medical and lifestyle treatment in order to prevent coronary artery disease.

Abdominal obesity:  waist >40 in (m), 35 in (f)

Triglycerides:  >150 mg/dL

HDL cholesterol:  <40 (m), <50 (f)

Blood pressure:  >130/85

Fasting glucose:  >110

At least 3 of 5 must be met