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Five conditions are listed: A large waistline, a higher than normal triglyceride level (or on medicine to treat high triglycerides), a lower than normal level of HDL cholesterol (or on medicine to treat low HDL), a higher than normal blood pressure (or on medicine to treat high blood pressure), and a higher than normal fasting blood sugar (glucose), (or on medicine to treat high blood sugar).
In general, a person with metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes as someone without metabolic syndrome, according to the NIH.
Almost 25 percent of Americans – 47 million adults -- have metabolic syndrome.
While the Japanese approach may represent too much government intrusion into the lives of citizens, it is time for Americans too to make serious progress in our personal health.
The U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services has set ambitious goals in its 2010 Healthy People Initiative: increase healthy weight adults from the current percentage of 34 percent to 60 percent; reduce the number of obese adults from 34 percent to 15 percent; reduce the number of overweight or obese children and adolescents from 18 percent to 5 percent.
Perhaps the best tribute to the champion of the everyday man who did not flinch from tough questions would be for each of us to ask ourselves and our loved ones those questions about risk. Grab a tape measure and measure. Honest, frank answers, and resulting action might save lives, and one of them could be yours. |