Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children

Chang, Jin Ha; Kim, Duk Hee; Kim, Ho Seong; Choi, In Kyoung; Cheong, My Young; Kim, Dong Kee

Abstract

PURPOSE
Obesity has been known to be a cause of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and along with coronary artery disease and diabetes, is associated with metabolic syndrome(MS). This study aimed to ascertain the cause and prevalence of MS in obese children and adolescents.
METHODS
Two hundred and seventy-seven school children, who showed more than a 95th percentile of body mass index(BMI) for age and sex, underwent oral glucose tolerance tests; fasting plasma lipid profiles, leptin, and CRP were measured; and ultrasonography was done.
RESULTS
Out of 277 obese children, the prevalence of MS was 37.5%, with 38.7% occurring in males and 35.2% in females. The prevalence was 20.8% in primary school children and 50.3% in middle school children. MS was present in 25.2% of mildly obese children, 43.9% of moderate and 71.4% of highly obese children, showing increased occurrence among the severer degrees of obese groups. Increased prevalence was observed in males with high blood pressure, and females with high triglyceride levels. The ratio of children satisfying more than one, more than two, more than three, more than four and all of the five criteria for diagnosis of MS were 90.6%, 63.5%, 37.5%, 8.3%, and 0.4%, respectively. Aside from diagnostic criteria for MS, a statistically significant difference was present between obese patients with or without the syndrome in such items as weight, BMI, degree of obesity, visceral fat thickness, ratio of body fat, leptin, and adiponectin, fasting and 2 hour post prandial insulin concentration.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of MS is currently on the rise among children, due to the rapidly increasing rate of obesity, westernized diet, higher calorie intake and reduced exercise. The prevalence of MS in obese children was 37.5% - higher than US results - after implementation of modified pediatric criteria established by ATP III Asia-Pacific standard in 2003. It would therefore be necessary to establish an acceptable universal standard for the diagnosis of MS, and extend the study to the general pediatric population in order to acquire more accurate data on the prevalence of the disease.