Korean J Pediatr.  2008 Jun;51(6):564-568. 10.3345/kjp.2008.51.6.564.

Epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome among Korean children and adolescents

• Park MJ

• KMID: 2280290
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2008.51.6.564

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity in Korean children is estimated to be around 10%, and has increased significantly over the past 20 years. Metabolic syndrome, which includes central obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, is a well documented risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but there is no general consensus concerning its definition for children. In this study, ablut 30-40% of overweight or obese children had metabolic syndrome compared to less than 10% in the general population. Dyslipidemia was the most common component and hyperglycemia was the least common component of metabolic syndrome. If the prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase, it is highly likely that the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome will also increase. These findings emphasize the importance of preventing obesity in addition to the diagnosis and management of metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents.

Keyword

Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Children; Adolescents; Korean

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Cardiovascular Diseases
Child
Consensus
Dyslipidemias
Glucose Intolerance
Humans
Hyperglycemia
Hypertension
Insulin Resistance
Obesity
Obesity, Abdominal
Overweight
Prevalence
Risk Factors