The term "metabolic syndrome" may not be on the tip of the collective tongue, so to speak, but it makes sense to at least be aware of the existence of this cluster of risk factors that increases the chance of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and death.

You are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following:

* A large amount of abdominal body fat, as indicated by a waist measurement of more than 100 cm for men, and more than 85 cm for women.