Which statement is true regarding metabolic syndrome risk factors?

• A. Weight gain does not occur with antipsychotics.
• B. Metabolic syndrome risk factors are limited to obesity only.
• C. Metabolic syndrome risk factors include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance.
• D. There is no relationship between antipsychotics and metabolic syndrome.

Answer: (C)

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interconnected metabolic risk factors that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The classic components include central (abdominal) obesity, dyslipidemia (typically high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol), hypertension, and impaired glucose regulation (such as impaired glucose tolerance or elevated fasting glucose). When several of these factors appear together, metabolic syndrome is present, and cardiovascular risk increases.

That makes the statement listing abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance true. It's also worth noting that some antipsychotic medications can contribute to weight gain and metabolic changes, linking them to metabolic syndrome, which is why the other choices—such as claiming no relationship, or that risk factors are limited to obesity, or that weight gain never occurs with antipsychotics—are not accurate.