Insulin Resistance Causes & Risks

Causes

The exact cause of metabolic syndrome is not known. It believed to be due to a combination of factors, such as:

Genetic factors
Insulin resistance
Obesity —especially central obesity, in core of body
Lack of physical activity
Poor diet
Fatty tissue abnormalities linked to insulin resistance and obesity
Psychological stress
Chronic low-grade inflammation
Aging

Risk Factors

Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include the following:

Overweight (especially excessive fat in the abdominal region)
Poor diet
- Eating a diet high in calories, sugar, saturated fats, and starchy foods (eg, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes), and low in dietary fiber
- Drinking a lot of soda, even diet soda, has been linked to metabolic syndrome *³
Sedentary lifestyle
Gender
- No difference in Caucasians
- African Americans: females more than males by 57%
- Mexican Americans: females more than males by 26%
Genetics: family history of diabetes, lipid disorders, high blood pressure , or heart disease
Socioeconomic factor with high incidence in low household income families
Age: over 60 years old
Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic American, African American, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander
History of glucose intolerance or gestational diabetes
A diagnosis of any of the following conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Elevated triglycerides/low HDL-cholesterol
- Cardiovascular disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Acute pancreatitis
- Chronic kidney disease

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.