Obesity is taking its toll of the health of younger people

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Younger people are now presenting with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, because of the growing problem of obesity.
Stroke, diabetes and heart disease used to be mainly problems for older people. No longer, say doctors at SUNY Upstate Medical University, NY. They say that because of a growing epidemic in metabolic syndrome and obesity, these problems are now being seen in younger age groups too.

An estimated one million US adolescents meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome. This increases their risk of heart problems and stroke later on. Measures like healthier school meals and encouraging exercise are not doing enough to meet the problem. More research into preventing metabolic syndrome is clearly required. Patients need to do more, as well, to build exercise into their lives and keep to a healthy weight. Medication can help, by controlling blood pressure and diabetes. The experts say that the public still don't seem to be fully aware of the health issues obesity can bring. It's vital the message gets through - especially to younger people, who may be cutting their life expectancy if they develop metabolic syndrome.

Source
Mayo Clinic Proceedings December 2006

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