ABSTRACT

Metabolic syndrome, previously known as syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome, refers to a constellation of disorders including central obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These risk factors have been linked to an increased probability of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2015, approximately 2.3 billion adults worldwide will be overweight, and more than 700 million adults will be obese (WHO 2006). Additionally, the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes will rise to 336 million by 2030 (International Diabetes Foundation 2009).