Dietetic Technician Practice Test

Which of the following characteristics does NOT belong to metabolic syndrome?

1. Serum triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL

2. Serum glucose greater than 110 mg/dL

3. Waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women

4. Blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg

The correct answer is: Blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg

The characteristic that does not belong to metabolic syndrome is blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg. Metabolic syndrome is generally defined by a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These conditions include elevated serum triglycerides, high blood glucose levels, increased waist circumference, and heightened blood pressure. While blood pressure is indeed one of the components associated with metabolic syndrome, it is typically assessed based on specific criteria. For metabolic syndrome, the threshold for blood pressure is often set at greater than or equal to 130/85 mm Hg, not the higher level of 140/90 mm Hg included in this option. Understanding this subtle difference is crucial, as the definition of metabolic syndrome can sometimes vary slightly in the literature, but generally, a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg applies more commonly to hypertension rather than metabolic syndrome specifically.