Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) consists of multiple risk factors including elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and lipid abnormalities. The main characteristics of MS is insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia introduced by abdominal obesity and physical inactivity and required to prevent decompensation of glucose homeostasis. If pancreatic insulin secretion fails to increase adequately, glucose intolerance and DM develops. MS is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease which lead to chronic diseases and even to sudden death. Stress is one of contributing factors of MS. The individuals with stressors have unhealthy life styles including heavy drinking, excessive eating, and inactivation. Human body has compensatory mechanism in brain against stress. The main pathways are the hypothalamic-pituitaty-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. The ACTH and cortisol hormone develop and worsen the abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Chronic stress also stimulates growth hormone and glucagon hormone which aggravate glucose intolerance and result in DM. DM patients have difficulties in glucose control if they have stressors. The effective prevention and management of MS is necessary for modern civilians to be healthy. (Korean J Str Res 2007;15:93∼98)

• Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Insulin resistance, Stress