- Metabolic health — a person’s levels of blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure and body fat — may be affected by lifestyle, either beneficially or adversely.
- Life events may also affect a person’s risk of chronic metabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
- A review has concluded that, for females, certain characteristics of reproductive milestones — including early puberty, excess weight gain in pregnancy and severe menopause symptoms — are linked to adverse metabolic health.
- The researchers suggest that clinicians should be aware of sex-specific risk factors when assessing a person’s metabolic health.
A person who is metabolically healthy has blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure and a
Someone who is not metabolically healthy is at risk of
- choosing heart-healthy foods, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and limiting saturated fat, added salt, sugars, and alcohol intake
- aiming for a healthy weight
- getting regular physical activity
- managing stress and getting enough sleep
- ceasing smoking.
However, a new review of the existing evidence has suggested that, for women, not only lifestyle, but the characteristics of their reproductive milestones may adversely impact their risk of metabolic dysfunction, which could lead to type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
The researchers who conducted the review suggest that screening for reproductive risk factors, such as early onset of menstruation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), weight gain in pregnancy and severity of menopause symptoms,…
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