Syndrome X, or metabolic syndrome, describes a cluster of closely associated conditions. These include obesity with predominant abdominal fat distribution, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

As you might surmise from knowing that each of these conditions is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome is quickly becoming one of the major public health concerns in the United States due to its increasingly recognized association with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Based on a recent report, approximately 47 million Americans have some elements of the metabolic syndrome, a rapidly growing number that is likely due to our society's general lack of regard for physical activity and healthy diets.

Fortunately, the metabolic syndrome is currently the focus of intensive research efforts by public and private scientific institutions, and new therapies and strategies are starting to emerge for managing it.

To learn more about the metabolic syndrome, I refer you to the following excellent Internet resources:

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• American Heart Association Web site
• HON Web site, under "Diabetes mellitus"