The Rise of Metabolic Syndrome on

Americas Youth

How has the rise of metabolic syndrome in the United States affect the young generation of

Americans today?

Candidate Personal Code: fxm207

Candidate Session Number: 049113-0028

Subject: Health and Development

Word Count: 3938

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States which affects nearly

200 million people while the percentage of children with obesity in the United States has more

than tripled since the 1970s: that is about one in five school-aged children (ages 619) has

obesity. Insulin resistance and obesity can cause metabolic syndrome. The children of the United

States are the future of this world. Metabolic syndrome could be a leading cause of death in the

future. It is important to bring awareness of the causes, consequences, and prevention of

metabolic syndrome to the younger generation. The question that will be addressed is How has

the rise of metabolic syndrome in the United States affect the young generation of Americans

today?

This study will examine the causes of metabolic syndrome, the factors that contributed to

the rise of the syndrome in the United States, the effect it will have on the youth, and identify

ways the metabolic syndrome can be controlled or prevented. The two subjects involved are

biology and sociology. Biology looks at role of metabolic syndrome on a persons health while

sociology looks at the development and functioning of Americas youth with the rise of

metabolic syndrome. American culture of unhealthy food options can have an effect on a

persons health and increasing the chances of metabolic syndrome.

The essay finds that metabolic syndrome has serious effects on Americas youth. The

biology aspect finds that metabolic syndrome increases the onset of obesity and diabetes. The

sociology aspect connects well with biology, because the convenience of unhealthy foods and

lack of daily exercise will increase the chances of metabolic syndrome for American children.

(277 words)

1
Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome ..... 5

The Rise of Metabolic Syndrome in the United States . 8

The Unhealthy Diet 10

Biological Responses to Metabolic Syndrome . 11

Sociology Causes of Metabolic Syndrome ... 12

Society Response to Metabolic Syndrome 14

Analysis .... 15

Conclusion 17

Bibliography . 18

2
Introduction

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raises the risk for heart disease, stroke

and diabetes: the factors include high triglyceride level, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol,

high fasting blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Around a quarter of the worlds adult

population have metabolic syndrome and are twice as likely to die from and three times as likely

to have a heart attack or stroke compared to someone without the syndrome. In addition, people

with metabolic syndrome are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.1 Metabolic

syndrome is a particular issue in the United States with the rise of obesity and diabetes, but it is

also an issue that affects hundreds of millions of people around the globe. It can affect anyone

through behavior or a persons health history.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States and affects

nearly 200 million people around the globe. There are two main types of diabetes. In type 1

diabetes, the bodys immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating

insulin production from the body. In type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to use insulin the right

way, also known as insulin resistance.2 Each year, 3.2 million people around the world die from

complications associated with diabetes. It is the seventh cause of death in the United States. It is

expected by 2025 that diabetes will reach epidemic proportions, affecting 333 million people.

The reasons behind the increase are population ageing, increasing urbanization, unhealthy diets,

obesity and sedentary lifestyles.3

Obesity is on the rise, particularly in children in the United States. The percentage of

children aged 611 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to

1
Metabolic syndrome - driving the CVD epidemic.
2
Diabetes: Differences Between Type 1 and 2 - Topic Overview.
3
Metabolic syndrome - driving the CVD epidemic.

3
nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 1219 years who were obese

increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period. In 2012, more than one third of children

and adolescents were overweight or obese. American society has become characterized by

environments that promote increased consumption of less healthy food and physical inactivity. It

can be difficult for children to get enough physical activity and make healthy food choices due to

the convenience of unhealthy food options such as fast food restaurants. Children who are obese

are more likely to become obese when they are adults. Adult obesity is associated with a number

of serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.4

Children are the future of this world. Metabolic syndrome could be a leading cause of

death in the future. It is important to bring awareness of the causes, consequences, and

prevention of metabolic syndrome to the youth. This essay attempts to answer how the rise

metabolic syndrome in the United States affects the young generation of Americans today.

In order for this topic to have an interdisciplinary approach, the two subjects that will be

used are biology and sociology. Biology looks at the physiology, origin and distribution of

metabolic syndrome in humans. This subject examines the root causes of metabolic syndrome. It

also looks at how it has grown and distributed to vast amounts of people in the United States. On

the other hand, sociology looks at the development, structure, and functioning of human society

with metabolic syndrome. It connects behavioral changes in humans to the function of society.

To effectively answer the research question, the causes of metabolic syndrome, the effect

it has on American youth, and ways to prevent it should be discussed in relation to the United

States and globally. Sociology causes and responses to metabolic syndrome should also be

4
Childhood Obesity Facts 2017.

4
discussed. It is important to discuss unhealthy diets, prevention and solutions to combat

metabolic syndrome so it decreases in the next generation.

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

The underlying cause of metabolic syndrome is still debated. Family history of type 2

diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease can increase chances of an individual to contract the

syndrome. Genetics and the environment may play important roles in the development of

metabolic syndrome but the role of these may vary depending on race and income.

Environmental factors such as weight gain, low activity, and sedentary lifestyle have a

significant effect in developing metabolic syndrome.5 Although the cause of metabolic syndrome

is still debated, many experts agree that the two most significant causes are insulin resistance and

obesity.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells in the pancreas to help regulate

glucose levels in the body. Insulin resistance is when a persons body tissues have a lower level

of response to insulin, so the body ends up producing larger amounts of insulin in order to

maintain normal levels of glucose in the blood.6 The increased production of insulin weakens and

may eventually wear out the beta cells. Once the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin,

this results in hyperglycemia: a state where theres too much glucose in the blood which can

develop to type 2 diabetes.7 The effects of insulin action at the whole body level are summarized

in Figure 1. The diagram shows the effect insulin sensitive and insulin resistant on different

organs in the body. Since insulin is a cause of metabolic syndrome, its important to look at the

5
Stppler 2016.
6
"Insulin resistance | definition of insulin resistance by Medical dictionary."
7
Metabolic syndrome - driving the CVD epidemic.

5
role of insulin signaling and insulin resistance in a wide range of cells and tissues with a focus on

how they promote the associated cardiovascular complications.

Figure 1: Overview of the Physiology of Insulin Signaling in Metabolic Syndrome 8

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. It contributes to

hypertension, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and is associated with increased cardiovascular

disease risk. There are also risks of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, coronary

heart disease, and some forms of cancer. It has been shown to rise with an increase in body mass

index (BMI) but its the excess body fat in the abdomen that is more indicative of metabolic

syndrome.9

8
Rask-Madsen et al. 2012.
9
Metabolic syndrome - driving the CVD epidemic.

6
 High Triglycerides is a possible sign of metabolic syndrome. Triglycerides are a type of

fat or lipid found in the blood. The body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away

into triglycerides. A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher is a metabolic risk factor for

metabolic syndrome. Cholesterol is a separate type of lipid that circulates in the blood and is

used to build cells and certain hormones. Because triglycerides and cholesterol can not dissolve

in blood, they circulate throughout the body with proteins that transport lipids known as

lipoproteins.10 High-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as the good cholesterol, helps remove

cholesterol from the arteries. An HDL cholesterol level less than 50 mg/dL for women and 40

mg/dL for men is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.11

Figure 2: The Apple vs Pear Body Shapes Associated with Metabolic Syndrome12

Figure 2 shows the two types of body shapes that are common among people with

metabolic syndrome: apple and pear. The two body shapes have key differences and are

important when discussing the rise of metabolic syndrome. An apple body shape stores fat

mainly around the midsection and upper body. People with this type of shape often have a higher

risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, because the fat in this area is more

metabolically active. Abdominal fat breaks down easily into fatty acids that go to the liver and

10
Triglycerides: Why do they matter?
11
Metabolic Syndrome: Proven Diet & Natural Treatment Plan 2016.
12
Walker.

7
muscle. When excess fatty acids travel into the liver, they contribute to the production of bad

cholesterol and triglycerides. A pear body shape involves estrogen: a hormone which increases

the number of receptors in the lower body that release fat slowly, contributing to the fat stored

around the bottom, thighs, and hips. People with this type of shape have a higher risk of

inflammation and insulin resistance because the fat stored produces abnormal levels of proteins.

These two body shapes are significant because their shape indicates the risk factors associated

with metabolic syndrome.13

The Rise of Metabolic Syndrome in the United States

A study conducted by the North Dakota State University found that 34 percent of U.S.

adults in government health surveys conducted between 1999 and 2006 had metabolic syndrome.

This was up from 1988 and 1994 where it was 29 percent. Researchers estimated that about 50

million U.S. adults had metabolic syndrome in 1990 and 64 million had it in 2000. In general,

researchers found the rise in metabolic syndrome was primarily due to growing rates of obesity

and high blood pressure.14

Robert J. Wong, M.D., M.S. from the Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital,

Oakland, California, and his colleagues used a probability sample of the U.S. population to

evaluate trends in the metabolic syndrome among adults who were 20 years or older.

Researchers stratified metabolic syndrome prevalence by race, sex, and age groups (20-39,

40-59, and 60 years or older).15 The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome from 2003-2004

to 2011-2012 increased from 32.9 percent to 34.7 percent. The highest prevalence was with

Hispanics, following non-Hispanic whites and blacks. It was also found that prevalence increases

13
Walker.
14
Norton 2010.
15
Aguilar 2015.

8
with age. Those who are 20 to 39 years of age had 18.3 percent which could increase to 46.7

percent among those 60 years or older. With this age group, more than 50 percent of women and

Hispanics had metabolic syndrome. Its important to understand prevalence trends as it provides

information on potential effects of metabolic syndrome and its associated health complications

on the older generation.16

The Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago conducted a

study on the prevalence of overweight and features of metabolic syndrome in a pilot,

school-based screening program. A cross-sectional study of obesity and metabolic syndrome was

conducted in third to sixth-grade, low-income, urban, African American children. Lipid and

glucose concentrations were measured in fasting capillary finger-stick samples. Body mass index

(BMI) were assessed in 385 students. Overall, 44% of the participants had BMIs at or above the

85th percentile, and 59% had an elevated BMI or one metabolic syndrome risk factor. Metabolic

syndrome was present in 5.6% of all participants, in 13.8% of participants with BMIs at or above

the 95th percentile, and in 0% of participants with BMIs below the 95th percentile. The

conclusion was that most African American children attending urban schools in low-income

neighborhoods were overweight or had one or more risk factors for the metabolic syndrome.17

Researchers point the results to a continuing need to rein in childhood obesity rates. The

increase in metabolic syndrome among younger adults may reflect the rise in childhood obesity.

Because obese young adults were often overweight as children or teens, these findings

emphasize the importance of preventing childhood obesity. Exactly how to most effectively

prevent childhood obesity is not clear, but many experts say improving the quality of food sold

16
Aguilar 2015.
17
Dallongville et al. 2005.

9
in schools, parents' limiting TV and computer time for their children, and vendors offering more

fresh produce and other high-quality foods in low-income neighborhoods.18

The Unhealthy Diet

There are six types of foods that make metabolic syndrome worse: processed foods,

artificial sweeteners, diet sodas, trans fats, refined carbohydrates and sugar, and alcohol.

Processed foods such as many frozen, bagged and boxed items are loaded with unhealthy

additives and preservatives that do not help the body. A 2015 study found that fast food

consumption increases the incidence of metabolic syndrome in children and adults.19 In addition,

Brazilian researchers found that high consumption of ultra processed foods was associated with

metabolic syndrome in adolescents.20 Artificial sweeteners such as Splenda have been linked

with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The increasing evidence suggests that consumers who

use sugar substitutes containing aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin may have a greater risk for

weight gain, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.21 Diet sodas

contain artificial sweeteners. Studies have found that consuming diet soda increases the risks of

select incident metabolic syndrome components and type 2 diabetes. A 2009 study found the

daily consumption of diet soda was associated with a 36% greater risk of metabolic syndrome

and a 67% greater risk for having type 2 diabetes.22 , 23

Trans fats are found in foods made with hydrogenated oils and fats found in margarine

and many baked goods. They raise the low-density level cholesterol and triglyceride which are

18
Norton 2010.
19
Asghari et al. 2015.
20
Tavares et al. 2012.
21
Swithers 2013.
22
Nettleton et al. 2013.
23
Metabolic Syndrome: Proven Diet & Natural Treatment Plan 2016.

10
not good for the waistline, heart health and metabolic disorders.24 Refined carbohydrates and

sugar cause high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and the development of diabetes and

metabolic syndrome.25 A study done in Korea, a place where metabolic syndrome is high, looked

at the effects of refined carbohydrates on metabolic disorders. They found that the percentage of

energy from carbohydrates in men and women were associated with metabolic syndrome.26

Lastly, high alcohol intake can raise blood pressure and triglyceride levels. It adds extra calories

which can cause weight gain. However, it was found that limited consumption of alcohol can

actually be good. Clinical Nutrition found that while high alcohol consumption increases the risk

of metabolic syndrome, a very light intake seemed to reduce risk of metabolic syndrome.27, 28

Biological Responses to Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome can be treated with medication to reduce the risks of high blood

pressure, high triglycerides, and diabetes.29 If lifestyle changes are not effective, then a doctor

may prescribe medications to treat and control the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, such as

high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol and high blood sugar. A

doctors main goal when treating metabolic syndrome is to reduce the risk of coronary heart

disease and to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.30

Besides eating healthy, taking supplements may also help with metabolic syndrome.

Research published in 2009 showed that ginseng, berberine and bitter melon are potent natural

remedies when it comes to metabolic syndrome. They help regulate glucose and lipid

24
Micha et al. 2009.
25
Mirmiran et al. 2015.
26
Song et al. 2014.
27
Sun et al. 2014.
28
Metabolic Syndrome: Proven Diet & Natural Treatment Plan 2016.
29
Episode 44 - Metabolic Syndrome and What to Do About It.
30
Metabolic Syndrome: Proven Diet & Natural Treatment Plan 2016.

11
metabolism which positively affect weight management.31 When researchers from the

Department of Home Science at Azad University of Agriculture and Technology in India

investigated the effects of holy basil leaves on blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in

humans through double-blind clinical trials, it was found that holy basil caused significant

improvements in blood glucose control and small improvements in cholesterol levels. This

suggests that basil supplementation can be a useful to help control diabetes and complications

that result from the disease like metabolic syndrome.32 Lastly maca root increases the glutathione

levels in the body, which improves the immune system, disease resistance, and balances proper

levels of cholesterol in the body. It significantly improves glucose tolerance by lowering levels

of glucose in the blood, which improves heart health and conditions like diabetes or metabolic

syndrome.33

Sociology Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

Sociology looks at how society influences individual behavior by making certain options

easier or harder and by making judgments that encourage or discourage certain behaviors.

Individuals also have the option to behave in ways that go against societal norms. The best way

to prevent metabolic syndrome, through individual behavioral change, is to become motivated,

making a plan to exercise and eat healthy foods, and continuing the new behavior until its

becomes a habit. People are social creatures, so encouragement and feedback from other people

is often more effective than private actions.34

31
Yin et al. 2008.
32
Agrawal et al.
33
Vecera et al. 2007.
34
Nelson.

12
 Unfortunately, individual behavioral change is difficult. The Diabetes Prevention

Program study found that half of its participants met a modest weight loss goal. The National

Weight Control Registry followed people who had been successful at long-term weight loss.

Within one year of monitoring, 35% of participants gained weight.35 Changes in individual

health behaviors can help to prevent metabolic syndrome, but many barriers make it difficult for

individuals to follow through on recommendations for behavioral change. If societal trends

caused the increase in metabolic syndrome, it is important to address those trends in order to

decrease the incidence of metabolic syndrome.36

There are sociological factors that have contributed to an American diet high in calories,

saturated fat, and processed foods. Throughout the 20th century, international free trade,

corporations, and governmental food subsidies reduced the cost of food. At the same time, these

companies were producing low-nutrient, high-fat foods in large portions. The types of food that

are the cheapest and most convenient are unhealthy: they are high in fats and sugars. Fresh

produce is difficult to ship long distances and can become stale quickly, so is not favored in an

international food market.37 Families have increasingly taken advantage of the inexpensive cost

and convenient unhealthy foods which directly affects children. Americas youth is exposed to

foods that are harming their health; an exposure that can increase their chances of metabolic

syndrome in the future.

As more women entered the workforce after World War I, more families depended on

two incomes. People sought convenient foods that would reduce food preparation time at home.

This lead to highly processed foods at home and more people buying from fast-food restaurants.

35
Repas 2007.
36
Nelson.
37
Friel et al. 2007.

13
Schools with a tight budget found suppliers of cheap food in these new fast-food companies

which directly impacts the nutrition children receive in school. Advertisements from brands and

corporations entice customers, particularly children, to center their diet on these food. Suburban

and urban cities have particularly been affected by the lack of non-convenience foods such as

fresh produce. As inner cities became infamous for crime and poverty due to demographic

changes, grocery stores fled along with other businesses. This leaves children in poor and

minority households with few healthy food choices.38

The nature of most people's work has become less physical throughout the 20th century.

Where most people used to farm or work in physical trades, now most work sitting in offices.

People are less active due to technology and better mass transportation. The increase in

technology has produced jobs that require employees to do their work in front of a computer:

from doctors to engineers and teachers to students. Sedentary jobs have increased 83 percent

since 1950 and physically active jobs make up less than 20 percent of the US workforce. People

are also working longer: an average of 47 hours a week for full-time workers.39 Exercise is no

longer integrated into peoples work or transportation, but physical activity during leisure hours

has not compensated.40

Society Response to Metabolic Syndrome

There is a wide range of responses to the social changes of American lifestyle that could

return Americans to a more healthful diet. Government food subsidies could be shifted to

encourage people to eat fruits and vegetables, rather than sugar and livestock feed. Local food

production, which facilitates delivery of fresh produce, can be encouraged through advertising.

38
Friel et al. 2007.
39
The Price of Inactivity 2015.
40
Nelson.

14
Cities can use zoning and financial incentives to bring grocery stores and farmers' markets into

all parts of the city, including poor and minority areas. State food stamp programs can partner

with farmers' markets so that stamp recipients can use their benefit in these venues. Food banks

can partner with farmers to increase the fresh produce available to the poor. Schools can remove

fast-food and junk food from the campus, and provide balanced meals and healthy vending

machine snacks and drinks.41 In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Healthy,

Hunger-Free Kids Act. Schools provided meals to children that normally could not afford

nutritious foods. As a result, a Harvard study concluded that kids are eating 16 percent more

vegetables and 23 percent more fruit at lunch.42 Students across the United States are

experiencing a healthier school environment with more nutritious options. Schools can also offer

classes in healthy cooking and provide nutrition education to children, and community health

departments and employers can extend this information to adults.

Analysis

The studies discussed in this essay agree that metabolic syndrome is on the rise. It is

mainly caused by a persons lifestyle. Convenient foods that are high in fats and bad sugars, lack

of physical activity, and individual behavior have produced a greater risk for metabolic

syndrome. American children are exposed to these causes everyday. Childhood obesity can be

connected to eating foods with high amounts of fat. There are unhealthy choices in vending

machines, fast food restaurants, schools, and even home with cheap, convenience foods such as

ramen or ready to meals in the frozen section of a grocery store. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids

Act has shown that making changes to school lunches has had a positive effect on children who

41
Nelson.
42
FACT SHEET: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act School Meals Implementation 2014.

15
are now eating more healthy foods. Societal changes can make it easier to make healthy choices,

but individuals still have to make those choices. The medical profession can have a particular

role in providing effective support for lifestyle change since it can use research to design the best

programs.

There is a lack of activity due to the advances in technology. Children are constantly on

the computer or watching television. Even schools promote the use of these resources since most

homework is done through the internet. Inactivity can also be connected to the apple and pear

body shapes. When children are not active, the excess calories are stored as fats which may put

the youth at a risk for obtaining a cardiovascular disease when they are older. If these actions

continue, along with eating unhealthy meals, metabolic syndrome will only increase when

todays youth become adults.

Many of the sources referenced come from PubMed or the National Center for

Complementary and Integrative Health. They are better research sources compared to others

cited in this paper such as articles or blogs from doctors. Both organizations are constantly

updating its health information so it is current. The organization is sponsored by the federal

government, so it is not supported by for-profit companies, such as drug or insurance companies,

that could influence the information presented. There are several citations in each study and

often include more than one author. However, it is still important to look at each studys citation

and make sure the authors are reputable in their field of study.

The success of this essay was discussing two different subjects and the role it plays with

the rise of metabolic syndrome. There is clearly a biological aspect where an individuals health,

family history, and other illnesses may cause metabolic syndrome. Society has a clear role,

16
through convenient foods and technology, in implementing bad habits at a young age. This study

is limited in the discussion of genetics, where children may be predisposed to the syndrome

regardless of their lifestyle.

Conclusion

It is clear that metabolic syndrome has drastic effects on the future generation of

Americans. The biology aspect of metabolic syndrome finds the increase of obesity and diabetes

and the connection it has with sociology; the convenience of unhealthy foods and lack of daily

exercise will increase the chances of metabolic syndrome for American children. The causes,

effects, and prevention are increasingly important to discuss to todays youth around the world.

Convenient foods and lack of physical activity is not a sole problem in America: it is seen around

the world.

In relation to the research question and investigation, some new questions arise. The role

of genetics or family history playing a role in the rise of metabolic syndrome. Are factors

contributing to metabolic syndrome due to genetics or is it something that can come naturally if a

person has bad health habits? Another new question is the effect of fast and slow metabolism on

the onset of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a global issue and people must be aware of the causes of it so it

does not become an epidemic in the future. Many social changes of the 20th has had an

unintentional effect of causing unhealthy diets and inactivity for many Americans. It will take a

society-wide effort to create new habits of diet and exercise to return people to a healthier

lifestyle.

17
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