What is a key characteristic of metabolic syndrome?

A key characteristic of metabolic syndrome is central obesity, which is specifically defined by a waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women and greater than 40 inches in men. This central obesity is significant because it indicates an accumulation of visceral fat, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

The measurement of waist circumference serves as a practical marker for the distribution of body fat and helps identify individuals who may be at higher risk for these conditions. This criteria is an integral part of the criteria used to diagnose metabolic syndrome, alongside others such as elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and hypertension.

In contrast, having triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL and HDL greater than 50 mg/dL are not characteristic of metabolic syndrome; instead, abnormal levels of these markers are used as indicators that contribute to its diagnosis. Similarly, a systolic blood pressure less than 130 mmHg does not reflect the criteria for metabolic syndrome, which actually considers higher blood pressure levels as part of the syndrome's diagnostic criteria.