Metabolic Syndrome and its determinants in a sample of young Iranian children with obesity

Abstract

Objective: Childhood obesity increases the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) both in childhood and adulthood. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and its potential determinants in a sample of Iranian obese children.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 among 150 obese children (body mass index ≥ 95th percentile) with seven years of age. They were randomly selected from 9 health centers in three districts of the north Tehran. Trained nutritionists completed a socio-demographic questionnaire by interviewing parents, and conducted the physical examination. MetS was defined based on modified Adult treatment panel III criteria.

Results: The mean (SD) of weight, height, and BMI was 37.5 (6.3) kg, 127.2 (4.7) cm and 23.08 (2.9) kg/m2, respectively. The prevalence of MetS was 13.4%, without significant difference in terms of gender. The most common component of MetS was abdominal obesity (79%). While 21.3% of children did not have any component of MetS, 42% of them had at least one component. Most children with MetS had a history of breastfeeding for less than six months. Waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and triglyceride levels were higher in MetS compared to controls (p < 0.05). Logistic regression model revealed that children with birth weight of ≤ 2500 gr. were at higher risk of MetS than children with a higher birth weight (OR=4.3; 95%CI: 1.1-9.7).

Conclusion: Primordial prevention of childhood obesity, and screening the components of MetS among obese children, should be considered as a health priority at individual and public levels. Prevention of low birth weight can have long-term impact on prevention of childhood obesity.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.291(Suppl).3511

How to cite this:Esfarjani F, Khalafi M, Mohammadi F, Zamani-Nour N, Kelishadi R. Metabolic Syndrome and its determinants in a sample of young Iranian children with obesity. Pak J Med Sci 2013;29(1)Suppl:253-257.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.291(Suppl).3511

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