The present invention relates generally to compounds and compositions for the treatment of metabolic diseases and specifically, the present invention relates to compounds that therapeutically modulation and control lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism and are thus suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and the diverse manifestations thereof. The present invention relates to 7-azaindoles, their physiologically acceptable salts and functional derivatives thereof that exhibit a high degree of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) agonist activity. Compounds of the present invention are described by formula I: ##STR00001## in which the R-groups are herein defined, together with their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, therapeutic methods for their use and processes for their preparation. The compounds are suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved.