Dietary and lifestyle interventions in the management of the metabolic syndrome: present status and future perspective

Abstract

Objective: To review the mechanisms underlying the metabolic syndrome, or syndrome X, in humans, and to delineate dietary and environmental strategies for its prevention. Design: Review of selected papers of the literature. Results: Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance play a key role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. Strategies aimed at reducing insulin resistance may be effective in improving the metabolic syndrome. They include low saturated fat intake, consumption of low-glycemic-index foods, physical exercise and prevention of obesity. Conclusions: Future research, in particular the genetic basis of the metabolic syndrome and the interorgan interactions responsible for insulin resistance, is needed to improve therapeutic strategies for the metabolic syndrome.

Gender-Specific Associations between Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Population: Findings from the 2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…Genetic, metabolic, and various environmental and social factors have been considered as risk factor for MetS. Hence, the identification of socioeconomic characteristics associated with MetS is essential for successful primary prevention [7, 8]. Moreover, social factors such as education level, occupation, household income, and marital status may influence MetS [9].…”

Gender-dependent associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the adult Saudi population

“…Although, the exact mechanism involved in this relationship is not clear, the socio-economic status may influence MetS and its components by affecting environmental and social factors [22,23]. Therefore, as an initial preventive approach to understand and manage the occurrence of MetS, it appears warranted to study the social and economic variables that could lead towards its high prevalence [24,25]. …”

A comparison of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components among native Japanese and Japanese Brazilians residing in Japan and Brazil

“…Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that lifestyle choices, accumulated across the life course, greatly influence the risk of developing non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus [15,16]. Studies assessing the aetiology of these diseases have increasingly focused on genetic and environmental factors [17][18][19].…”