Understanding Metabolic Syndrome and its Link to Diabetes Metabolic syndrome, a sinister cluster of conditions often operating in the shadows, can significantly impact your overall well-being. Using the definition of metabolic syndrome from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Program, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is estimated at more than 30 percent in the United States. What is Metabolic Syndrome? The syndrome is a multifaceted health condition that quietly lurks in many lives, often overshadowed by more apparent health