OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other metabolic features in obese children. METHODS: We studied 97 obese children and adolescents (body mass index > or = 95th percentile) aged between 6 and 14 years old. All children underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. The diagnoses of fasting impaired glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes were defined according de American Diabetes Association criteria. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was defined according de National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) criteria adapted for children. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was found in 18.6 % of the children, with a higher rate among puberal children (26.2 %) than among prepuberal children (12.7 %). There were no significant differences by sex. The prevalence of each of the components was 10.3 % for abnormal glucose homeostasis (8.2 % in impaired fasting glucose, 5.4 % in impaired glucose tolerance, 1.1 % in type 2 diabetes), 97.9 % for abdominal obesity, 16.5 % for high triglyceride level, 15.5 % for low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 45.4 % for high blood pressure (40.2 % for systolic pressure and 22.7 % for diastolic pressure). Insulin resistance (HOMA-R > or = 3.8) was found in 45.4 % of the children, with a higher rate among children with metabolic syndrome (77.8 %). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 20 % of the obese children studied met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, a constellation of metabolic derangements associated with obesity. Insulin resistance was very common among children with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other metabolic features in obesechildren. METHODS: We studied 97 obesechildren and adolescents (body mass index > or = 95th percentile) aged between 6 and 14 years old. All children underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. The diagnoses of fasting impaired glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes were defined according de American Diabetes Association criteria. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was defined according de National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) criteria adapted for children. RESULTS:Metabolic syndrome was found in 18.6 % of the children, with a higher rate among puberal children (26.2 %) than among prepuberal children (12.7 %). There were no significant differences by sex. The prevalence of each of the components was 10.3 % for abnormal glucose homeostasis (8.2 % in impaired fasting glucose, 5.4 % in impaired glucose tolerance, 1.1 % in type 2 diabetes), 97.9 % for abdominal obesity, 16.5 % for high triglyceride level, 15.5 % for low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 45.4 % for high blood pressure (40.2 % for systolic pressure and 22.7 % for diastolic pressure). Insulin resistance (HOMA-R > or = 3.8) was found in 45.4 % of the children, with a higher rate among children with metabolic syndrome (77.8 %). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 20 % of the obesechildren studied met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, a constellation of metabolic derangements associated with obesity. Insulin resistance was very common among children with obesity and metabolic syndrome.