Dietary habits and salivary cortisol levels as an early predictor of metabolic syndrome in children: a case-control study

Introduction: Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is an essential factor in developing metabolic syndrome. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis increases cortisol levels, which is associated with increased abdominal body fat accumulation, triglyceride storage in the adipose cell, insulin resistance, and development of hypertension. Aim: To understand the relationship between dietary habits, salivary cortisol levels and metabolic syndrome in children. Material and methods: This case-controlled study included 46 subjects selected from primary schools in Ismailia city, Egypt. The study subjects were divided into two matched age and gender groups: Group 1: Children with metabolic syndrome as a patient group. Group 2: Normal age- and sex-matched children as a control group. All children were subjected to history taking, measurements, and laboratory investigations (total lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, circadian salivary cortisol in the day and at night). Results: = 0.018). On the other hand, in the control group there was no statistically significant correlation between salivary cortisol level and triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, FBS, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Conclusions: Dietary habits, family history, and salivary cortisol levels during the day are more strongly correlated with components of metabolic syndrome, especially central obesity and blood pressure. Dietary habits have a great impact on developing metabolic syndrome; thus a healthy lifestyle is advised. Further studies, with a larger number of participants, are encouraged to confirm our observations.