| dc.description.abstract | Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a complex clinical condition, defined by the concomitant presence, in the same individual, of at least three comorbidities (metabolic alterations): arterial hypertension, altered fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia (high level of triglycerides) , low concentration of HDL (high density lipoproteins) and central/abdominal obesity (ALBERTI et al., 2009). The simultaneous occurrence of these factors is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (cardiometabolic) and with overall mortality (FARIAS, PEREIRA and ROSA, 2010; GALASSI, REYNOLDS and HE, 2006; GAMI et al., 2007; GRUNDY, 2007; LI, W. et al., 2008; MOTILLO et al., 2010; WU, LIU and HO, 2010). In addition, it is highlighted that gender is an important aspect in the relationship between MS and cardiovascular problems and mortality, as these are more significant in women than in men (KRAGELUND et al., 2007; REGITZ-ZAGROSEK, LEHMKUHL and MAHMOODZADEH , 2007; REGITZ-ZAGROSEK, LEHMKUHL and WEICKERT, 2006). MS has become one of the greatest health challenges of today, as estimates point to a prevalence of MS between 20% and 30% in the world population of adults (GRUNDY, 2008; OLADEJO, 2011). Brazil follows the trend observed in other countries in the world, considering that approximately 30% of the Brazilian population has MS (DE CARVALHO VIDIGAL et al., 2013). The growing number of MS cases may be related to changes in the lifestyle and dietary pattern of individuals, the aging of populations and, possibly, everyday stress situations (GOTTLIEB, CRUZ and BODANESE, 2008). As a result of these changes, there is an epidemiological transition in the morbidity and mortality profile of the population in recent decades, with a predominance of non-transmissible chronic diseases (CALDWELL, 2001; SCHRAMM et al., 2004). | en |
