Project never funded. No subjects were recruited.

Moderate exercise is recommended to improve cardiovascular health in obese and overweight people particularly with metabolic syndrome (MetS) that have hypertension, elevated fasting blood sugar, and elevated blood lipids. This study is being done to determine how platelets respond when a person performs an initial period of moderate exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 30-60 years old
• BMI >/=26 and <40 kg/m2
• not planning to or currently attempting to gain or lose weight
• low reported omega-3 fatty acid intake per Omega-3 Checklist
• Metabolic Syndrome as define 3/5 of the following:Waist circumference: men > 102 cm women > 88 cm, triglycerides > 150 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol: men < 40 mg/dL women < 50 mg/dL,Blood pressure >130/>85 mmHg,Fasting glucose > 100 mg/dL (Hypertensive subjects are eligible if taking thiazide diuretics NOT ACE inhibitors beta blockers)

Exclusion Criteria:

• smoke or use tobacco or nicotine in any form (including pills and patches)
• take any medication that makes you unable to exercise
• have established cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or metabolic disease such as diabetes
• have uncontrolled hypertension
• have alcohol, anabolic steroid, or other substance abuse issues
• consume more than 3 alcoholic drinks/week
• have joint or muscle injuries that affects your ability to exercise
• have cancer (other than skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• pregnant or lactating
• currently exercise regularly
• taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, Aleve, Advil, ibuprofen, naproxen
• take lipid modifying medications such as statins (Lipitor, Zocor)
• take medications for blood glucose such as insulin or metformin
• take medications that affect platelet functions (Plavix)
• taking omega-3 supplements (fish or flax oil)

Obese adults with Metabolic Syndrome