Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Its Components in Adolescents from Western Mexico

To evaluate the predictive risk factors associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents from the western region of Mexico.

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 516 adolescents. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, and biochemical determinations were obtained. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the criteria proposed by de Ferranti in 2004. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) was calculated, where a value >4.68 indicates insulin resistance (IR). Risk factors associated with MetS were evaluated using a logistic regression model. The statistical analysis was performed with the level of statistical significance established was p < 0.05.

The MetS prevalence was 17.2% among adolescents. One out of every two adolescents with obesity presented with MetS. Abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia are the most common components. Predictors of MetS included male sex, early adolescence, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) > 0.5, increased body fat percentage, and TyG Index > 4.68 (IR). In the sex-specific analysis, a WHtR > 0.5 and IR were associated with MetS in female adolescents. In male adolescents, IR and body fat percentage were associated with MetS. The WHtR was associated with IR, and hypertriglyceridemia was associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase.

In this study, two out of ten adolescents presented with MetS. In boys, a high prevalence of abdominal obesity, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, insulin resistance and MetS was observed. The risk of developing MetS is greater in preadolescent boys with abdominal obesity, high levels of body fat, and a TyG index > 4.68.