It is estimated that over 5 million people in the UK have the Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X as it is sometimes known. It is not a single disease but a cluster of health problems which often include a 'beer belly' ﾖ a disproportion of abdominal fat, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol readings and high blood sugar. Individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome are therefore at elevated risk of adult onset diabetes, heart attacks and stroke.

The syndrome's effects are eminently recognisable and treatable, whether through changes in diet and lifestyle, prescription medication or a combination of both. This prompts the question - why aren't we doing a better job of detecting and treating individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome?

Dr Naveed Sattar, Reader in Endocrinology and Metabolism, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, who will be speaking at the conference, commented,

' Understanding how obesity and sedentary lifestyle lead to diabetes and heart disease is now a priority. The aim of this conference is to provide the best available information in this area to not only improve care of those people at risk but also to suggest novel preventative strategies.'

Chairing the conference will be Professor Mike Lean of the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow.

He said, ' We have had the genes for the Metabolic Syndrome since history began, but they are only now leading to disease because we have unlimited food and no need for physical activity.

He continued, ' People who tend to accumulate fat around their waists are more at risk than those with fat bottoms or legs. Several recent studies have begun to show us how to block or reverse the development of the Metabolic Syndrome and this conference will illustrate this.'

The conference will also look at 'Ethnicity and the Metabolic Syndrome'. Dr Steve Clelland, Lecturer in Clinical Medicine at the University of Glasgow has been carrying out research into this area.

' People from certain ethnic groups appear to be predisposed to diabetes and we will be asking if there is anything we can do to defuse this global time bomb ', he commented.

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Other conference speakers include:

Professor Jaap C Seidell, Professor of Nutrition and Health, Free University of Amsterdam who will speak on obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome.

Professor Nick Hales, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge who will speak on current research they are carrying out which may indicate there is a link between the Metabolic Syndrome and early growth restriction and diet induced adult obesity.

Dr Andrew Krentz, Lead Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Southampton General Hospital who will speak on new drug treatment in this area and insulin sensitivity.

Professor Jaakko Tuomilehto, Academy Professor, National Public Health Institute, Finland who will speak on Exercise and the Metabolic Syndrome.

The conference will take place at the Crutherland House Hotel, East Kilbride (tel: 01355 577000) from 10.00 am ? 4.45 pm on Tuesday 12 Novemner 2002.

For further information contact the Press Office on 0141 330 3535/3683 or Carolyn Fraser on 0141 201 9264 (mobile: 079 6656 1474).

First published: 7 November 2002