|
,
FEBRUARY 22, 2008 —If your waistline is expanding – it could be mor e worrisome than you might think. “If you’re overweight, and have more of an apple shape with most of your weight concentrated around your middle, you could be at risk for metabolic syndrome,” says Heather Robberson, M.D., a board certified Internal Medicine physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood.
Metabolic syndrome – also known as insulin-resistance – is not an illness itself, but a cluster of health conditions that together increase your risk of developing life threatening diseases – including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Health experts now estimate that about one in every four Americans have this syndrome.
“A large waist circumference is a major hallmark of metabolic syndrome,” says Dr. Robberson. For men, that means a waist measurement of 40 inches or more, and for women, a waist measurement of 35 inches or more, could be an indicator of this syndrome.”
In addition to a large waistline, other characteristic signs of metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides (fatty substances in the blood) with low levels of HDL (the "good" form of cholesterol), and a resistance to insulin, the hormone that helps to regulate sugar in our bloodstream.
One of these factors alone doesn’t mean you have metabolic syndrome, according to Dr. Robberson, because doctors typically require a combination of three or more factors to make a diagnosis, but it does increase your overall risk. Therefore, she notes, if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or an apple-shaped body – or all three – it’s important to check with your doctor.
“Because metabolic syndrome is linked to the development of a number of life threatening diseases, identifying it early and addressing the underlying contributors – such as excess weight or a lack of physical activity – through lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke,” she says.
Dr. Robberson offers the following advice to address and prevent the onset of metabolic syndrome:
- Exercise is vital! Make exercise a part of your daily routine – planning for it like you would for other important aspects of your day. Try to get 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, every day, and increase your level of activity as tolerated and under a doctor’s supervision.
- Lose weight. Losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can reduce insulin levels and blood pressure and decrease your risk of diabetes.
- Eat healthy. Limit unhealthy fats and carbohydrates, and emphasize fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains in your diet.
- Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases insulin resistance and worsens the health consequences of metabolic syndrome.
- Work with your doctor to monitor your weight and your blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels to ensure that your lifestyle changes are working. If you're not able to achieve your goals with behavioral and dietary changes, your doctor may also prescribe medications to lower blood pressure, or control cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
“Making these kinds of changes in a person’s life is not always easy,” admits Dr. Robberson. “That’s why working with a doctor you trust is so important,” she adds. “A good relationship with your doctor can help motivate you to address the contributors to metabolic syndrome. Your doctor can help you make the best personal health choices, based on medically-sound information.”
If you have any of the health conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor about whether you might be at risk. To contact Dr. Heather Robberson, or to find another Internal Medicine physician affiliated with Kimball Medical Center, please call 1-888-SBHS-123.
Kimball Medical Center is an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, the largest integrated health care delivery system in New Jersey. Located in Lakewood, Kimball Medical Center is a fully accredited, 350-bed facility offering the most advanced, ultra-modern diagnostic and treatment services. Kimball offers comprehensive rehabilitative services featuring The Balance Center and an advanced sports medicine program. Kimball is also the recipient of the Magnet Award for nursing excellence. The Center for Healthy Living at Kimball offers a wide variety of programs and services for area families, children and seniors, including community education programs, support groups and school based initiatives.
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
(732) 557-3902
[ top ] [ Back
to News Index ] |
|
|
