Epidemiological Impact of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese European Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is continuously increasing, both in the adult and pediatric populations, posing a substantial challenge to public health. Understanding the epidemiological burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among children, particularly regarding its complications and long-term effects in adulthood, is crucial for identifying effective preventive measures and enhancing the clinical care of obese children. Therefore, by searching two databases, a systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate studies that specifically addressed the epidemiological MetS impact among overweight/obese European children and adolescents. Overall, 15 studies were considered. The epidemiological data concerning the MetS impact were contingent on the diagnostic criteria used and varied across countries, resulting in a prevalence range of 1.44% to 55.8%. Spanish studies were the most numerous (34%), revealing a country prevalence rate ranging from 2.5% to 19.6%. Males (prevalence range: 1.4–55.8%) and subjects with overweight/obesity (prevalence range: 12.9–55.8%) were mainly affected. Obesity emerged as the main risk factor in the MetS development and the consequent onset of cardiovascular complications and diabetes. Knowing the MetS burden and its risk factors could improve their prevention, detection, and treatment, and guide the development of targeted public health interventions to appropriately address the health needs of younger patients.

Associations of Ultrasound Findings with Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels in Children with Obesity

“…From the data found in the literature, it appears that the male sex seems to be more affected by obesity without being clear why, which is a fact also identified in our study. We noticed that metabolic syndrome, which is the foundation of obesity, is also more present in males according to a Systematic Literature Review published in 2023 [16][17][18]. Concerning the environment of origin, the urban environment favors obesogenic factors by the increased availability of low-cost foods with increased kcal and convenience [16].…”