Perhaps you've heard the term metabolic syndrome but have no idea what it means or why it even matters.

The following Q & A will help you understand the syndrome and why it's crucial to know if you or a loved one are at risk for it.

Q. What is metabolic syndrome?

A. About 23% of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome. It is a cluster of health conditions that often occur together and raise the risk for serious problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you must have three or more of these health conditions:

• A waist circumference greater than 40 inches if you're a man or greater than 35 inches if you're a woman.

• A triglyceride level of at least 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or more—or you're on medicine to treat high triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of blood fat.

• An HDL cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL if you're a man or less than 50 mg/dL if you're a woman—or you're on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol.

• A systolic blood pressure (top number) of 130 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 85 mm Hg or higher—or you're on medicine to treat high blood pressure.

• A fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dl or higher—or you're on medicine to treat high blood sugar.

Q. Who is at risk for metabolic syndrome?

A. Several factors increase the likelihood of getting metabolic syndrome:

Too many pounds. Excessive fat in and around the abdomen is most strongly linked with metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance. This happens when the body can't use insulin efficiently. Insulin resistance raises the risk for type 2 diabetes.

Race and gender. When they have the same body mass index, Caucasians are at greater risk for developing metabolic syndrome than are African Americans. Men are more vulnerable to it than women.

Q. How can I prevent metabolic syndrome?

A. These steps can help:

Eat a healthy diet. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and fish that isn't fried. Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.

Be active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity per week. One easy way to get started? Take a walk. Even a short stroll, several times a day, will help you meet your goal.

Shed some weight if you need to. Balance healthy eating with a healthy level of exercise to reach your weight goals.

Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute