The Metabolic Syndrome: Identification and Management of the Patient at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

KEY POINTS ■ The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors associated with central

obesity and insulin resistance. ■ The IDF definition requires the presence of central obesity and provides ethnic specific cut points

for diagnosis. ■ The prevalence of diabetes is the highest in developed countries and will increase as populations

become more obese. ■ In children, central obesity is associated with a threefold increase in insulin levels, a doubling of

fasting TG levels, a decrease in the HDL-C of 20 mg/dL, and an increase in the systolic blood pressure of 15 to 20 mmHg.