Metabolic Syndrome Among Children and Adolescents Aged 10–18 Years

Current definitions for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome are focused on adult populations (1–4), whereas specific criteria for its early diagnosis have never been formally defined for children and adolescents. Because the best approach for the prevention of the metabolic syndrome is early recognition, defining it in children and adolescents is necessary for estimating the magnitude of this health problem in the young population. In this study, we determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents aged 10–18 years from northern Mexico and evaluate a definition for its early diagnosis in the young population. After receiving approval from the Mexican Social Security Institute Research Committee and obtaining written informed consent, a cross-sectional study that included children and adolescents from northern Mexico was carried out. The sample to be studied was determined by two-stage random-cluster sampling. A detailed medical and family history was obtained and physical examination performed for all participants, who were required to be in good health. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was estimated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (1), World Health Organization (2), American Association …