The Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that are related to being overweight or obese. Grouped together these risk factors significantly increase the risk of serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Having three or more of the following conditions indicates metabolic syndrome:

• Having extra fat around your tummy and a large waist.
• Having high amounts of triglycerides in the blood.
• Having low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
• Having high blood pressure.
• Having high fasting blood sugar levels which may indicate diabetes.

If you’ve ticked “yes” to three or more of the above risk factors it is time to take charge of your health by changing your lifestyle habits or run the risk of a premature death.