The actual causes of metabolic syndrome may be many, but researchers lean toward insulin resistance as the underlying problem. Overweight people tend to develop a resistance to insulin -- a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, pushing sugar into the body's cells, where it is used for energy. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors that increase the chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Losing weight, exercise, and dietary changes can help prevent or reverse metabolic syndrome.