What are the risk factors for metabolic syndrome?

A combination of lifestyle, genetic, and medical factors can put you at risk for metabolic syndrome, including:

• Excessive belly fat
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Unhealthy diet
• Age (risk increases after 40, but can occur earlier)
• Family history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease
• Hormonal changes (e.g., menopause, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome)
• Smoking and excessive alcohol use