Obesity and metabolic syndrome in 7-9 years-old Portuguese schoolchildren

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Almeida, Maria Daniel Vaz de (Author) FCNAUP; Correia, Flora (Author) FCNAUP; Oliveira, Bruno M. P. (Author) FCNAUP; Albuquerque, Isabel (Author) FCNAUP; Simões-Pereira, Carlos (Author) FCNAUP

Journal

Title: Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome

Vol. 2 No. 1

Initial page: 40

ISSN: 1758-5996

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Pediatrics

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-5RB

DOI: 10.1186/1758-5996-2-40

Abstract (EN): Background: Body fat is related to changes in lipid profile, blood pressure and metabolism of insulin and glucose, known as the metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among overweight and obese Portuguese schoolchildren, and to identify associated clinical and biochemical characteristics. Methods: A total of 82 children (14 overweight and 68 obese; 40 boys and 42 girls) aged 7-9 years, underwent anthropometric measurements. A blood sample was obtained to assess biochemical parameters. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). MS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria modified by Cook. Results: The prevalence of MS was 15.8%. Abdominal obesity was present in all children. Frequency of elevated blood pressure, low HDL-cholesterol and elevated triglyceride concentrations were 62.6%, 13.4% and 11.0%, respectively. None of the children presented impaired fasting glucose, however hyperinsulinemia (7.3%) and IR (8.5%) were observed. The number of components of MS was higher in children with higher z-BMI (ρ = 0.411; p < 0.001). MS was associated with higher leptin concentrations. No association was found with adiponectin or ghrelin levels. Leptin correlated positively with obesity, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, hepatic function and C-reactive protein, and negatively with HDL and Apolipoprotein A-I/B ratio. Conclusions: This study shows a significant prevalence of MS among obese schoolchildren. Abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure were the most frequent components of this syndrome. Dyslipidemia, IR and high levels of leptin were also associated with MS in this young group.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=20537155[pmid]">Indexado na PubMed</a>

No. of pages: 7