[Metabolic syndrome in obese children]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of metabolic syndrom's abnormalities in obese children and family risk factors.

We examined 280 (M/F 127/153) children in the age of 14.2 +/- 2.5 years with obesity duration 9.4 +/- 4.1years. The control group consisted of 70 (M/F 31/39) normostenic children matched according to age and stage of puberty.

In the group of children with obesity, family history (I and/or IInd degree relatives) of: obesity was stated in 78.0%, hypertension 42.9% and diabetes mellitus type 2 in 44.6%, all these three risk factors together were present in 16.3%. Abdominal adiposity was noted in 66.8% (WHR > or = 0.9/0.85), hyperinsulinemia 0'(> or = 20 microUI/ml) in 30.7%, I/G (> or = 0.30 microUI/l/mg%) in 22.9%, IGT in 13.2%, fasting hyperglycemia (6.1-7.1 mmol/l)--5.4%; serum lipids (mmol/l): Ch-T (> or = 4.81) - 43.2%; LDL-Ch (> or = 2.6) - 62.5%; HDL-Ch (< or = 0.9) - 51.4%; TG (> or = 1.7) - 30.4%. Hypertension (> 130/85) in 6.4%. Metabolic syndrome (of three or more abnormalities) was stated in 50% children with abdominal adiposity.

(1) Metabolic syndrome is present in obese children. (2) Current literature and our own study indicate the necessity of early prevention through constant education of correct nutrition and physical activity.