Metabolic Syndrome
The basics of understanding blood glucose, body fat, and metabolic health
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when three or more of five items apply: abdominal obesity, blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or higher, fasting blood glucose of 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or higher, triglycerides of 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL) or higher, and HDL cholesterol below 1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men or below 1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women. It affects 24.9% of Korean adults aged 19 and older, and about 47% of those aged 65 and older (KDCA National Health Information Portal; item criteria follow NCEP ATP III with the Korean waist circumference criteria applied).
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which metabolic risk factors appear together in one person: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. Meeting three or more of the five criteria defines metabolic syndrome.
| Item | Criterion |
|---|---|
| Abdominal obesity | Waist circumference of 90 cm or more for men, 85 cm or more for women (Korean criteria) |
| High blood pressure | 130/85 mmHg or higher, or on medication for high blood pressure |
| High fasting blood glucose | 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or higher, or on medication for diabetes |
| High triglycerides | 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL) or higher, or on medication |
| Low HDL cholesterol | Below 1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men, below 1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women |
In Korea, the U.S. NCEP diagnostic criteria are often used, with only the abdominal obesity criterion adjusted for Koreans.
Management basics
Weight and waist circumference
The first goal is to lose 5–10% of your body weight over 6 months.
Regular physical activity
Do moderate-intensity aerobic exercise steadily, spread across the week.
Regular health checks
Check your blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid levels regularly.
Check your metabolic syndrome risk
- KDCA National Health Information Portal, “Metabolic Syndrome”
- KDCA National Health Information Portal, “Obesity”