Question

Describe the metabolic syndrome that has been identified in Asian Indians? Discuss the risk factors that may be contributing to high rates in this population. For those who follow a vegetarian diet, does this dietary practice modify their risk? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Asia is the main place for contribution of largest population with metabolic syndrome.

There is no well definition for metabolic syndrome.

But metabolic syndrome includes some of the health conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, hypertension etc. Which are mainly due to metabolic defect in the body.

Risk factors for high rates of metabolic syndrome in Asian Indians as below:-

• Genetic mutation
• Heredity:- passing from parents to next generation
• Sedentary lifestyle:- Asians are physically less active compared to other ethnic groups. Increasing usage of computers and mechanization in workplaces and at household work is leading to a sedentary lifestyle.
• Lack of exercises:- Leisure-time activities have also shifted from outdoor games to indoor entertainment like television and computer games. Importantly, girls and women have been found to be more sedentary than men as most of them as housewives.
• Imbalanced foods:- high calories, carbohydrates, saturated fats, and low fiber are being consumed increasingly in the Indian subcontinent. This may lead to hyperinsulinemia, postprandial hyperglycemia, high serum TG, and low HDL levels associated with insulin resistance. Asian Indians also have significantly lower intakes of 3 polyunsaturated fattyacid and mono unsaturated fatty acid and increased consumption of 6 - poly unsaturated fatty acids.

Vegetarian diet only can't modify the risk factors.

Along with that Asian Indians needs to do physical activity at least for 150 minutes in week can helps to reduce risk of getting metabolic syndrome.

Vegetarian diet can helps to reduce risk factors in a way it doesn't have much fat content. So that it reduces somewhat risk burden.