Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that greatly increases the chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and stroke. More than one in five Americans has MetS. The number of people affected increases with age to include more than forty percent of individuals in their 60's and 70's. MetS has the following characteristics: central obesity, elevated insulin, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein, high blood pressure, and glucose intolerance. Individuals are diagnosed with MetS if any three of the preceding risk factors are present. The exact cause of MetS is not known. Most researchers believe it is a combination of genetic inheritance, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. Exercise training is emerging as an effictive treatment for MetS. The most current research and cross-sectional studies have indicated an inverse association between physical activity and Metabolic Syndrome characteristics. Exercise as a treatment intervention has improved all-cause mortality and has reduced the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. More and more research based evidence is showing that exercise related increases in cardiorespiratory fitness lessens the entire array of MetS risk factors including insulin resistance. Persons who participate in supervised diet and exercise programs that result in an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness may reverse the syndrome. Click here  for more information