What is one of the five symptoms of metabolic syndrome?

Waist circumference is recognized as one of the key criteria used to identify metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A larger waist circumference indicates the presence of abdominal obesity, which is a significant risk factor within this syndrome. Specifically, waist circumference measurements help assess visceral fat, which is linked to detrimental metabolic changes including insulin resistance and inflammation.

In the context of metabolic syndrome, other components assessed include elevated blood pressure, raised fasting blood sugar, and abnormal lipid levels. The consideration of waist circumference is critical, as it provides insight into an individual’s health risks associated with obesity beyond just general body weight.