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The metabolic syndrome is a precursor for coronary heart disease. However, its pathophysiology is not clear, its phenotypic expression may vary by region; also, the phenotypic manifestation may be exacerbated by psychosocial distress and family history. The purpose of the current study was to assess the factor structure of the metabolic syndrome in young urban Asian Indians. Asian Indian youth (N = 112) were evaluated for body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, blood pressure (systolic: SBP; diastolic: DBP), blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, psychosocial distress and family health history. Factor analyses were computed on components of the metabolic syndrome. Three factors were identified for the entire sample: hemodynamic-obesity (SBP, DBP, waist-hip ratio), Lipid (cholesterol, triglyceride), and insulin-obesity (blood sugar, BMI, insulin). Similar to previous research with this population, three distinct factors with no overlap were identified. Factors did not correlate with psychosocial distress or family history. Lack of correlation with family history and psychosocial distress may be a function of the young age and demographics of the sample.

Cardiovascular disease is a chronic illness with physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial components implicated in the etiology and course of the disorder. Given its multifaceted nature, management of cardiovascular disease needs to be multidimensional and include attention to all risk factors. Research has indicated that modification of one risk factor (e.g., diet) does not lead to automatic benefits to other risk factors (e.g., exercise) (Prochaska, Nigg, Spring, Velicer, & Prochaska, 2010). Hence, attention needs to be focused simultaneously on both physiological and psychological components. For example, medical regimens need to be augmented by lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise. Psychosocial variables such as depression, hostility, and stress also play a key role in morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease and need to be independently managed. An explicit focus on techniques that involve concurrent physiological and psychological interventions makes mind-body therapies effective and appealing in dealing with cardiovascular disorders. Mind-body medicine is the most widely used domain of complementary and alternative medicine among the US population for treatment of medical conditions (NIH, 2004). Examples of mind-body medicine include meditation, yoga, relaxation, visual imagery, biofeedback, qigong, cognitive-behavioral therapies, support groups, tai chi, and spirituality. This chapter will focus on the most widely studied and used interventions, specifically, yoga and meditation.