Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms and conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if you have 3 or more of the following health risks:
- high fasting blood sugar levels
- high blood pressure
- high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
- low levels of HDL (“good”) blood cholesterol
- abdominal obesity (an “apple” shape)
The more of these health risks you have, the higher the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart-related problems such as heart disease and stroke.
The number of people with metabolic syndrome has increased because of the rise in obesity rates. The good news is that it is possible to prevent or delay metabolic syndrome through a healthy lifestyle.
Read more about metabolic syndrome by clicking the links below.
Eating disorders predominantly affect women, but men can also be affected. Many conditions and factors are believed to cause eating disorders, including genetic and functional changes in the brain, trauma, and cultural influence; in general, eating disorders are viewed as having a psychological origin.
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the two most common eating disorders. People with anorexia nervosa intentionally starve themselves because of a false belief that they are fat, or for fear of becoming obese. In contrast, people with bulimia nervosa uncontrollably or compulsively binge-eat, followed by inappropriate ways of trying to get rid of the food (such as by self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives).
People with eating disorders need medical and professional help to get better.
Read more about eating disorders by clicking the links below.