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One-third of adults in the U.S. suffers from metabolic syndrome, but Latinos suffer the most, according to a new study, Latina Magazine reports.
About 39% of Latinos suffer from the syndrome, a higher rate than both whites (37.4%) and blacks (35.5%).
Metabolic syndrome is called a “perfect storm” of several health conditions that include high blood pressure, increased levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and wider waist circumference.
What’s alarming to doctors and researchers is that metabolic syndrome dramatically increases with age.
Half of Latinas age 60 or older have the syndrome.
“That’s concerning, because we know the population of the U.S. is aging,” said senior author Dr. Robert Wong, an assistant clinical professor at University of California, San Francisco. “I think it will potentially place a huge burden on our health care system.”
Obesity is one of the main causes for the syndrome, Wong said, and the “overall rate of both conditions mirror each other.”
Doctors recommend people with metabolic syndrome or at-risk of developing it to lead active lifestyles.
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Maternal & Child HealthBy The Numbers
20.7
percent
of Latino kids have obesity (compared to 11.7% of white kids)
