Longitudinal preventive-screening cutoffs for metabolic syndrome in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To detect metabolic risk factor cutoff points in adolescence for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome that develops at the age of 17 years (MS 17 ). Design: This study adopted a 6-year design incorporating four data collection time points (TPs). Volunteers were assessed prospectively at the ages of 12, 13, 14 and 17. Participants: A total of 210, 204, 198 and 187 schoolchildren volunteered at the first (TP 1 ¼ 12 years old), second (TP 2 ¼ 13 years old), third (TP 3 ¼ 14 years old) and fourth (TP 4 ¼ 17 years old) data collection TP, respectively. Measurements: At each data collection TP, anthropometrical, biological and lifestyle data were obtained. Identical protocols were used for each assessment conducted by the same trained investigators. Results: A total of 12% of the participants were diagnosed with MS 17 , the majority of them being boys (Po0.05). The prevalence of the syndrome increased directly with the degree of obesity. Using body mass index (BMI), adiposity and/or aerobic fitness levels in both genders, MS 17 could be correctly diagnosed as early as TP 1 . No such cutoff points were found for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels. Conclusion: With respect to the data presented, it has been established that the calculated longitudinal preventive-screening cutoffs allow successful diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in adolescents using BMI, adiposity or aerobic fitness levels in both sexes. Adoption of such pediatric guidelines may help mitigate future increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in High School and NCAA Division I Football Players

“…In our sample, the HS subjects had a similar prevalence rate of MetSyn (5.7%) compared with the College subjects (8.5%). When compared with the general population, the prevalence of MetSyn in this group of adolescent athletes is similar to that reported in other findings (8) but is slightly lower than that reported by Flouris et al (12) who found that 16% of a population of 17-year-old boys diagnosed with MetSyn. Given the increase in the obesity rate among adolescents (21), it is certainly possible that the MetSyn rate in the general adolescent population is higher than that observed among the HS football players in the current study.…”

Body Composition Indices and Single and Clustered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adolescents: Providing Clinical-Based Cut-Points

“…There is controversy as to which body composition indices are the best when screening youths and adults for cardio metabolic risk, with some studies suggesting the use of body mass index ( BMI) or body fat (BF) percentage (%) 4 while others suggesting waist circumference (WC) and skinfolds 5 .…”

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Comparison of Two Different Diagnostic Criteria

“…The literature suggests that the fundamental components of MS are overweight, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition to develop IR [15]. It has been pointed out that, among these risk factors, excessive body fat is the main cause of this syndrome.…”

“…A consensus definition of MS in children and adolescents is important as it would allow researchers to assess biological, social, and environmental covariates, document secular trends, and investigate the syndrome's stability over time and its association with mortality risk. This information could result in a better understanding of the MS etiology, as well as a more timely identification and evaluation of new strategies for prevention and intervention [15]. …”