Objective: To propose a new criterion for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents and to check its consistency with those proposed by Jolliffe and Janssen and by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 80 obese adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. Anthropometric (weight, height, and waist circumference) and laboratory (fasting triglycerides, HDLc, glucose, and insulin) parameters, as well as blood pressure were evaluated. The HOMA-IR index was used to characterize insulin resistance, and the presence of steatosis was assessed by hepatic ultrasound. Agreement analyses across the three criteria were made using the kappa coefficient. Results:The prevalence of MS was 13.5, 15, and 25% for IDF and Jolliffe and Janssen's criteria and the proposed method, respectively. A nearly perfect agreement between Jolliffe and Janssen's and IDF (kappa = 0.94) criteria and a moderate agreement between the new criteria and the previous two (kappa = 0.46 and 0.41, respectively) were observed. Conclusions:The highest prevalence of MS was observed with the criterion proposed in this study, which included steatosis and insulin resistance as parameters, thus being able to diagnose a larger number of adolescents at metabolic risk. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2010;86(4):325-330:Insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, adolescents, metabolic syndrome. ResumoObjetivo: Propor um critério para o diagnóstico da síndrome metabólica em adolescentes e verificar a sua concordância com os propostos por Jolliffe e Janssen e pela International Diabetes Federation (IDF).Método: Estudo transversal com 80 adolescentes obesos de 14 a 19 anos. Foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas (peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura), laboratoriais [triglicérides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), glicemia e insulinemia de jejum] e da pressão arterial. O índice HOMA-IR foi utilizado para caracterizar a resistência insulínica, e a presença de esteatose foi verificada pela ultrassonografia hepática. Análise de concordância entre os três critérios foi feita pela estatística de kappa.Resultados: Foram encontradas prevalências para síndrome metabó-lica de 13,75, 15 e 25%, utilizando os critérios da International Diabetes Federation, de Jolliffe e Janssen e da nova proposta, respectivamente. Verificou-se concordância quase perfeita entre Jolliffe e Janssen e a IDF (kappa = 0,94) e moderada entre a nova proposta e as duas anteriores (kappa = 0,46 e 0,41, respectivamente). Conclusões:A prevalência mais alta da síndrome metabólica foi verificada pelo critério proposto neste estudo, que incluiu a esteatose hepática e a resistência insulínica entre os seus componentes, diagnosticando, desta forma, maior número de adolescentes com risco metabólico. Artigo submetido em 13

Objective: To propose a new criterion for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents and to check its consistency with those proposed by Jolliffe and Janssen and by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 80 obese adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. Anthropometric (weight, height, and waist circumference) and laboratory (fasting triglycerides, HDLc, glucose, and insulin) parameters, as well as blood pressure were evaluated. The HOMA-IR index was used to characterize insulin resistance, and the presence of steatosis was assessed by hepatic ultrasound. Agreement analyses across the three criteria were made using the kappa coefficient. Results:The prevalence of MS was 13.5, 15, and 25% for IDF and Jolliffe and Janssen's criteria and the proposed method, respectively. A nearly perfect agreement between Jolliffe and Janssen's and IDF (kappa = 0.94) criteria and a moderate agreement between the new criteria and the previous two (kappa = 0.46 and 0.41, respectively) were observed. Conclusions:The highest prevalence of MS was observed with the criterion proposed in this study, which included steatosis and insulin resistance as parameters, thus being able to diagnose a larger number of adolescents at metabolic risk.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2010;86(4):325-330: Insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, adolescents, metabolic syndrome.