Introduction
The healthcare industry has had to cope with the emergence of ‘new’ diseases in the recent past. Although the health care sector has the means to fully treat these diseases, the increasing trend is devastating and causes psychological torture to the infected and affected. Times and life patterns have significantly changed and explains the rise in certain disorders (Barlow & Dietz, 1998). Global climate change and change in eating habits have played a crucial role in causing such disorders. Some of the diseases that are being focused on today include skin cancer and metabolic syndrome.
It is worrying to note that such diseases target children and the youth who end up not attaining the age of maturity. A participatory approach is therefore the way to go if levels of such disorders are to be set within acceptable limits. The essay provides an elaborate description of metabolic syndrome.
Signs and Symptoms
For a long period of time, the definition of metabolic syndrome is not clear even to the medical professionals. Several definitions have been proposed to try and explain the disorder. More than 40 definitions have been suggested. However, a definition brought forth by a National Cholesterol Education Program indicates that metabolic syndrome is associated with the following; obesity, high fasting glucose, hypertension and hypertriglyceridimia. Low HDL cholesterol is another risk factor associated with the disorder. These factors increase the probability of getting a heart-related disease. A research conducted by Ribeiro, Guerra, Mota, et al. (2004) indicated that if at least three of these risk factors manifest themselves then one is said to have metabolic syndrome. The syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.
The major signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome vary with age and sex. Most of the mentioned risk factors show no symptoms or warning manifestations. However, a large waistline is noted for those affected. Standards for BMI (Body Mass Index), blood pressure, height and weight differ between sexes and depend on age (Barlow & Dietz, 1998). Children with metabolic syndrome recorded abnormal values of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood glucose of about 100mg/dl. Children are associated with growth and developmental changes thereby making it difficult to decide on the bench mark for risk factors.
These variations in age also make the symptoms of metabolic syndrome different among those affected. Symptoms of high blood sugar characterized by unending thirst, increased frequency of urination, impaired vision, and fatigue are observed for those who are diabetic. Later stages of high blood pressure show no signs. People who are in early stages experience headaches, dizzy moments, and unusual nosebleeds. Metabolic syndrome is also characterized by abnormal clotting of blood as well as continued inflammation of the body.
Causes and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome
Several factors acting together cause metabolic syndrome. Whereas some of these factors are beyond human explanation, some are controllable. Being overweight and obese, living an inactive lifestyle and having insulin resistance causes the syndrome. Some uncontrollable factors such as ageing also play a role. Genetics is also uncontrollable and may increase the risk of insulin resistance. Other unexplored research findings indicate that metabolic syndrome may also be caused by a fatty liver, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gallstones and breathing problems during sleep. A recent study by Ribeiro et al. (2004) carried out on children and adolescents aged between 12 and19 showed a prevalence of 4.2%.
Other researchers found that a prevalence of about 3.6% in young people aged 8-17 years. The research findings revealed much higher prevalence rates among the overweight children. More to this study indicated that 89% of those whose BMI z-score was 2.0-2.5 had 38.7% prevalence (Barlow & Dietz, 1998). The patients who were severely obese and whose BMI z-score was more than 2.5 had the syndrome (about 49.7%). A prevalence of 6.8% was observed for those whose BMI z-score ranged between 1.5 and 2.0.
The study also indicated that the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome showed some variability on the basis of sex and ethnicity among the youth (Ribeiro et al., 2004). Males showed a significant 6.1% prevalence compared to that of females that stood at 2.1%. Another revelation by Kolbe, Kann, and Brener (2001) showed that whites were more prone to the syndrome as compared to African Americans.
Prevalence rates of 5.6% and 2.0% for whites and African Americans respectively were noted on the basis of lipids bench mark. Children who were overweight aged between 5 and 15 years and had a waist-to-height ratio of more than 0.5 were at a great risk of having metabolic syndrome (Barlow & Dietz, 1998). The study revealed that normal-weight children were 8 times safe from the syndrome compared to their overweight counter parts. Obese children characterized by large waist circumference were also at a higher risk. Several growth stages influence the metabolism of the body systems.
A good example is the puberty stage that has been found to affect the insulin-glucose homeostasis. It is a fact that insulin resistance is increased during puberty. Compensation for this resistance is countered by an increase in insulin secretion (McMurray, Harrell & Levine, 2002). This super normal secretion of insulin found in adolescents may explain the recent increase in metabolic syndrome. The sensitivity in insulin during puberty was associated with sex and body composition.
Metabolic Risk Factors
Several factors among them abdominal obesity, an inactive lifestyle and insulin resistance pose a great likelihood of metabolic syndrome. Some people who are usually under medication may be at risk because of the medicines’ effect on weight gain, blood cholesterol and levels of blood sugar. In USA about 47% adults are prone to metabolic syndrome. A recent finding indicated that some other groups were also at risk for metabolic syndrome (Ribeiro et al., 2004). Genetically, people whose siblings or parents are diabetic or have a history of diabetes are prone to the syndrome. Women who showed a tendency of developing cysts in the ovaries are also not very safe.
A large waistline, a major symptom of metabolic syndrome, is a clear indication that excess weight is carried around the waist. A waist circumference that is greater than the standard measurement for men and women is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and hence an increase in heart disease risks. The situation of overweight cases in children is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Cases of overweight children showed an increase from 1974 to 2000 (Kolbe et al., 2001). A recent study conducted by Kolbe in 2001indicated that indeed the percentage of overweight children had increased to 16%. The blacks recorded the highest overweight prevalence of 20.5% while the whites had 13.6% prevalence.
Blood contains several forms of fats. One example is triglycerides. Usually a level of less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) is acceptable. Any value beyond this limit is a metabolic risk factor. Cholesterol is usually found in most foods. Too much cholesterol in the foods we eat is detrimental to our health. The body produces its own HDL cholesterol which helps to remove the cholesterol trapped within the arteries. Any values below the normal HDL cholesterol level in both men and women are metabolic risk factors.
The blood pressure is usually measured in millimeters of mercury. The recommended pressure is 130/85 mmHg. Any value that exceeds either of the two values is a metabolic risk factor. Blood sugar level is a key component in metabolic syndrome. The set benchmark for metabolic risk factor is values greater than 100mg/dl (McMurray et al., 2004). People are considered pre-diabetic if the levels are 100-125 mg/dl and diabetic if the sugar level exceeds the 126 mg/dl mark.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventive measures are usually considered better than curative measures. The most appropriate way in the prevention of metabolic syndrome is making informed lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge but is important as a preventive measure. Waist measurement and body mass index if known frequently, risks of metabolic syndrome may be curtailed. A body mass index of 25 should be maintained to prevent the syndrome. Those who have the syndrome should cut down the BMI by 7-10% during the first year in which treatment is administered (Barlow & Dietz, 1998).
Over eating should be discouraged and following a healthy diet emphasized. A variety of fruits and vegetables, fish, beans, lean meats and low-fat milk should be taken. Foods that are high in cholesterol and added sugar should be avoided. Whole-grain products should also be given a priority in diets. Foods with too much salt cause blood pressure and should be avoided (McMurray et al., 2002).
Regular exercises are crucial to the maintenance of healthy weight. It is important to see a doctor who would advice on the best exercise to be undertaken. Some of these exercises are aerobic, bone strengthening, muscle strengthening and stretching. Smoking is not only hazardous to the liver but poses a great risk in causing metabolic syndrome and heart attacks. Those who find quitting smoking a challenge should join hands together with support groups. In most cases lifestyle changes may never work at all. Doctors prescribe drugs in a bid to control risk factors. Statins, nicotinic acid and fibrates are used to treat low cholesterol levels. The risk of blood clots can be reduced by taking low-dose aspirin.
Conclusion
It is important to acknowledge that metabolic syndrome exposes one to heart diseases. The health care sector is faced with enormous challenges that would reduce metabolic syndrome if addressed. The present and future of the youth is at risk. The health care key players should be involved in educative forums to ensure that children and the youth are aware of their state. This awareness will ensure that chances of occurrence of metabolic syndrome are minimal. A participatory approach between health care key players and the community will not only bear fruits in the short-term but also in the long-term. Heart diseases have become a menace and failure to address these issues may cause more pain in future.
References
Barlow, S. E. & Dietz, W. H. (1998). Evaluation and Treatment of Obesity: Recommendations. Journal of Health Resources and Services, 3 (2); Pp. 134-146.
Kolbe, L. J, Kann, L, & Brener, N. D. (2001). Overview and summary of findings: School Health Policies and Programs Study. McGraw Hill Plc.
McMurray, R. G, Harrell, J. S., & Levine, A. (2002). Metabolic Syndrome: A School-Based Intervention can Reduce Body Fat and Blood Pressure in Young Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 3 (1): Pp.125 -132.
Ribeiro, J. C, Guerra, S., Mota, J., et al. (2004). Understanding Physical activity and biological risk factors clustering in pediatric population. Cengage Learning.