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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2004;292:2823-2824.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

While the metabolic syndrome has been thrust into the spotlight because of the obesity epidemic, it is clear that the condition is not simply caused by lifestyle habits such as overeating and inactivity. Genetic components likely play a role, and scientists have now identified a potential genetic culprit for some individuals with the condition.

MITOCHONDRIAL MUTATION

An estimated 47 million people in the United States have the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with the development of diabetes and heart disease. Factors characteristic of the syndrome include

• Central obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen)
  
• Atherogenic dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol)
  
• Raised blood pressure (130/85 mm Hg or higher)
  
• Insulin resistance (with or without glucose intolerance)
  
• Prothrombotic state (eg, high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor in the blood)
  
• Proinflammatory state
  

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