<p>Metabolic Syndrome Cheung Pui-sze Beatrice, dietitian Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders including central obesity, hypertension, low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL), high level of blood triglyceride and blood glucose. Compared to healthy people, people with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by three to five times respectively. Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome People with three or more symptoms below are diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome: Central Obesity Male waist circumference > 90 cm Female waist circumference > 80 cm High level of triglyceride ≧1.7mmol/L Or taking lipid-lowering drugs Low level of HDL Male < 1.03mmol/L Female < 1.29 mmol/L Or taking cholesterol-lowering drugs Hypertension Systolic/diasystolic >130/85 Or taking anti-hypertensive drugs High level of fasting blood glucose > 5.6 mmol/L Or taking oral blood glucose lowering drugs</p><p>Treatment of metabolic syndrome 1) Establishing a healthy diet, doing regular exercise and adopting a healthy living style  Limit energy intake  Follow the rule of “3 low & 1 high” (i.e. low fat, low sugar, low sodium and high fibre)  Do exercise regularly  If overweight, reduce 5 to 10% of body weight  Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake 2) Drug therapy  Physician may consider using drugs to control hypertension and hyperglycaemia Metabolic Syndrome Initial Screening Test - Includes measuring height, weight, percentage of body fat, blood pressure, waist circumference and calculating body mass index. Date Time Location 11 September 2010 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Open area between King Chung House and King Lam Shopping Centre 25 September 2010 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM G/F near Fairwood, Po Lam Shopping Centre 30 October 2010 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Zodiac Plaza, Sheung Tak Estate 6 November 2010 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Kin Choi Community Hall - Individuals assessed as having high risk will receive a coupon for follow up blood glucose and lipid tests at $20 (original price of $200) at Haven of Hope Bradbury Community Health Development Centre. - Enquiries: 2623-5517 or 2701-3407</p>