Themed Review: Lifestyle Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, dysfunctional glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. Approximately 1 in 4 Americans currently has the metabolic syndrome and are thus at an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality. Leading health authorities recommend lifestyle modification consisting of exercise and caloric restriction for treatment and prevention of the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this report is to review the evidence that considers lifestyle modification as a treatment strategy for the metabolic syndrome. The influence of lifestyle modification on abdominal obesity, dysfunctional glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure is considered. Findings suggest that interventions consisting of exercise and/or caloric restriction are associated with improvement in all components of the metabolic syndrome, although the magnitude of this effect varies according to the specific component studied and additional factors such as baseline values. The evidence presented supports the promotion of lifestyle modification as an efficacious strategy for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.