Abstract Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition related to lifestyle factors and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to assess the prevalence of MS along with its gender differentials among early adolescents in rural areas in a northern state of India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2023 to November 2024 in villages of a health block in a northern state of India, where MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria. Results: A total of 610 participants were assessed. Of these, 72 (11.8%) had MS, significantly higher in girls (14.7% vs. 9.3%) than in boys. Logistic regression among girls showed that mean body fat was positively associated with high waist circumference (WC). Whereas mean muscle mass is associated negatively with high triglycerides (TGs) but positively with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Whereas among boys, mean body fat was associated negatively with high blood pressure and positively with high WC. Negative association was found between outdoor playing and low HDL, and between mean protein consumption and high TG. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS was significantly high among girls, which was found to be associated with high mean body fat, muscle mass, and outdoor playing. They were found to be associated with high blood pressure, WC, and abnormal lipid profile.
Kumar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.