Metabolic syndrome from inequality perspective - a public health leadership challenge

Objective: This study attempts to evaluate the impact of inequality on metabolic syndrome associated risk factors and the expected role of public health leadership. Metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X has been associated with certain conditions that predispose an individual to the risk for stroke, cancer, heart disease, diabetes among other health conditions. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome disease must meet three of the following criteria: Low HDL (<40 mg/dl (men), <50 mg/dl (women), abdominal obesity, 40 inches (men), 35inches (women), high triglyceride (equal or >150 mg/dl), blood pressure of 130/85 or higher or on anti-hypertensive medication and fasting blood sugar (110 mg/dl or higher). METHOD: This study was a meta-analysis of more than ten studies across different populations from Africa, Asia and America. The components of metabolic syndrome were analyzed based on some existing predisposing risk factors that have inverse relationship with inequality. These were defined after modifying World Health Organization definition. Result: Our study shows a relationship between inequality and metabolic syndrome predisposing risk factors such as socioeconomic status, income status, abdominal obesity, educational status, race, ethnicity, cardiovascular disease, and hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: The complex systems involved in planning and responding to metabolic syndrome as a result of inequality might need a good transactional leadership style as well as enhanced team leadership skills. This study suggests the need for a thorough research analysis, prognostication of likely health effects and analysis of available resources and how best to respond to the affected population

Key words: Metabolic Syndrome, Inequality, Leadership