DefinitionMetabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.Alternative NamesInsulin resistance syndrome; Syndrome XCauses, incidence, and risk factorsMetabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause, but all of the syndrome's risk factors are related to obesity.Metabolic syndrome is associated with many conditions and risk factors. The two most important risk factors are:Extra weight around the middle of the body (central obesity). The body may be described as "apple-shaped."Insulin resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is needed to help control the amount