The Role of Central Obesity in the Pathophysiology of Metabolic Syndrome

The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a grouping of cardiovascular risk factors that includes obesity (typically central), hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, prothrombotic state, and inflammation. MetS is a factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Jean Vague in the 1940s and early 1950s related the presence of male type (android form) of adiposity to the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases which are all important factors of the MetS. MetS is defined based on a variety of criteria, such as the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Pane lIII (NCEP-ATPIII), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Central obesity is an important component of MetS in these definitions. This is largely due to the key role played by the adipocyte in the development of the syndrome. The contents of this article were drawn from an extensive online search of literature covering the subject matter, and aims to review the pathophysiological role of central obesity in the development of the components of the metabolic syndrome. We advocate for early detection of central obesity, by simple measures such as the use measuring tape to assess the waist circumference.