Describe two components of metabolic syndrome risk in early adulthood and two prevention strategies.

• A. Components include high HDL and low fasting glucose; prevention: ignoring medical advice.
• B. Components include low blood pressure and low fasting glucose; prevention: skipping exercise.
• C. Components include high waist circumference and high triglycerides; prevention: high-fat diet and inactivity.
• D. Components include high waist circumference, high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose; prevention strategies: regular physical activity and a healthy diet.

Answer: (D)

Metabolic syndrome risk in early adulthood is about a cluster of metabolic factors that together raise the chance of future diabetes and heart disease. Two common components you’d look for are abdominal obesity (high waist circumference) and elevated triglycerides. In fact, the syndrome is defined by five criteria—waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose—with metabolic syndrome diagnosed when three or more are present. Prevention works best through lifestyle changes that improve several of these factors at once. Regular physical activity helps reduce visceral fat, improve insulin sensitivity, lower triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol, while a healthy diet supports weight management and helps keep triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure in a healthy range. So combining consistent exercise with a nutrient-dense, balanced diet is an effective strategy. The other options describe protective factors or unhealthy behaviors as preventive measures, which don’t fit the goal of reducing metabolic syndrome risk.