Metabolic syndrome is increasingly prevalent in Africa across both adult and young populations, driven by urbanization and westernized lifestyles, with obesity and dyslipidemia as common components.
Metabolic syndrome is increasingly prevalent in Africa due to westernization of lifestyles, highlighting the need for preventive strategies focused on traditional lifestyle habits.
Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of several cardiovascular risk factors. Contrary to earlier thoughts, metabolic syndrome is no longer rare in Africa. The prevalence is increasing, and it tends to increase with age. This increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the continent is thought to be due to departure from traditional African to western lifestyles. In Africa, it is not limited to adults but is also becoming common among the young ones. Obesity and dyslipidemia seem to be the most common occurring components. While obesity appears more common in females, hypertension tends to be more predominant in males. Insulin resistance has remained the key underlying pathophysiology. Though pharmacologic agents are available to treat the different components of the syndrome, prevention is still possible by reverting back to the traditional African way of life.
Christian Okafor (Mon,) conducted a review in Metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is increasingly prevalent in Africa across both adult and young populations, driven by urbanization and westernized lifestyles, with obesity and dyslipidemia as common components.