Metabolic syndrome is a public health time bomb

The metabolic syndrome is a public health time bomb. It may affect as many as 1 in 5 adults in some parts of Europe, greatly increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

The metabolic syndrome is a ticking time bomb, and unless something is done about it, it will cost the European economy billions, and millions of people across Europe could die prematurely.

Body weight plays an important role in the development of the metabolic syndrome and with obesity spiralling out of control (20% of men and 25% of women in some parts of Europe are obese) the problem is only set to get worse. Following hot on the heals of obesity, related disorders are increasing too.

By 2010, it is suggested that 30 million people in Europe (equivalent to the total population of Belgium, Hungary and Portugal put together) will suffer from diabetes, creating a huge burden on the health service and the economy not to forget the individuals themselves.

Of course, obesity is only part of the picture. The food we eat and our lifestyles also contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome. A ground breaking project is underway across Europe (the Lipgene project: see notes to editors) to find out more about the causes of the metabolic syndrome and ways in which it can be tackled.

A high level conference is being held in London on Wednesday (1st December) to discuss the problem and ways in which the food we eat can help prevent and treat the metabolic syndrome.