Five Factors to Determine Your Health Risk

Make the grade and prevent Metabolic Syndrome.

Late nights preparing for the Sunday sermon. Meetings with the deacons and finance committee. High stress putting out fires at the church office. Hospital visits to congregation members. Hamburger and french fries between appointments.

Sound like the average ministry workday?

Ministry work can create a challenging environment to live a healthy lifestyle. But your health is a valuable resource. Make conscious choices — eat healthy foods, take the stairs — to reduce your risk of Metabolic Syndrome.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic Syndrome is the name for a group of conditions linked to being overweight or obese. “It's a serious health condition that affects about 34% of adults,” according to the American Heart Association¹. It dramatically increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.

What are the risk factors?

1. Abdominal obesity. Increased belly fat equals increased risk. A waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women puts you in greater jeopardy.
2. Elevated triglycerides. Measures at 150mg/dl or above are a red flag.
3. Low High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) (or “good”) cholesterol. Levels at 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women are too low.
4. High blood pressure. If it's higher than 130/85, you're at risk.
5. Elevated fasting blood glucose. Quantity of 110mg/dl or above is too high.

An individual risk factor is worrisome, but metabolic syndrome studies show a combination of factors is much worse. If you have three or more of these factors, you may have metabolic syndrome and should consult your doctor immediately.

How can Metabolic Syndrome be prevented?

• Start today by making healthy lifestyle choices. Get an annual physical to inform your doctor of your symptoms and check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If you're in a GuideStone^® health plan, our Preventive Care Handout will help you plan for the right health care services at the right time. Eligible in-network preventive care services are covered at 100%.
• Exercise regularly to lose weight as well as improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Walking daily is a great way to take the first step.
• Make healthy food choices such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean cuts of meat or poultry to also help with weight loss. Have an appetite for more healthy food choice tips? Our selection of wellness articles offers healthy eating resources.

It's easy to concentrate so much on your spiritual and mental growth that you neglect your physical health. But your physical health is just as vital to your future ministry. It takes stamina to balance the needs of a congregation, the operation of a church and your personal life. So review your risk factors and start lowering your health risk today.

¹American Heart Association