The main risk factors and risk groups for the development of metabolic syndrome and other complex diseases

Complex diseases (metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases), and in particular type 2 diabetes and obesity are two pandemics of modern time that are popularly called diabesity, and represent one of the most important public health problems in the developed world. The main risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity that may be affected on are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The prevalence of these risk factors reflects today’s trend of globalization, urbanization and aging of population. Data of numerous studies clearly indicate that in the background of this global problem is the modern way of life in the ‘toxic environment’ (aka. obesogenic environment), which implies the increasing availability of cheap food rich in fats and sugar, blended in less need for movement. In the context of complex diseases, often is emphasized their association with adverse socioeconomic status (low level of formal education, low level of household income, rural areas and unemployment) and stress. In addition to these factors, there has been a definite influence of genetic components (risk is higher in people whose parents or relatives are also overweight or suffering from diabetes), as well as age, sex, intrauterine environment (epigenetic “imprinting”, fetal programming), birth body weight and lifestyle (alcohol consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke). However, the most important risk factors are considered to be those that are also reversible, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet (food with high energetic but low biological value) and insulin resistance.

Given the above, recognition of individuals at high risk and determination of risk behavior for the development of obesity and diabetes, are the focus of activities aimed at the prevention of these complex diseases. This complex, but also a necessary task, first of all should be focused on intervention in childhood and adolescence, when habits related to nutrition and physical activity are created. Women of child-bearing age are also important but often neglected risk group. The latest research suggests that negative lifestyle during pregnancy (exposure to tobacco smoke, drugs and alcohol during pregnancy, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity), and psychosocial characteristics of pregnant women increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes in adulthood of the offspring. Complications at birth, premature delivery, c-section, postpartum haemorrhage and low birth body weight of the child are also more common in obese women and women with gestational diabetes, while pregnancy itself is associated with an increased risk of maternal, fetal and neonatal death.