Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in elementary school children

AIM: To determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its related components in elementary-aged school children. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-five 7-9-y-old boys (n=182) and girls (n=193) in the eastern Kansas area served as participants. Criteria for the MS were the presence of three or more of the following components: 1) central obesity (waist circumference>or=90th percentile in males and females); 2) elevated triglyceride concentrations (>or=1.13 mmol/l); 3) low HDL-C concentrations (<or=1.04 mmol/l in males and females); 4) elevated blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic>or=90th percentile, age and gender specific); or 5) elevated fasting glucose levels (>or=6.10 mmol/l). RESULTS: The prevalence of the MS in this sample was 5%, and was similar across gender and race. Fifty percent of the children had no components and 15% had at least two components, with elevated blood pressure the most common component (37%). CONCLUSION: The MS is prevalent even in young children at rates similarly reported in adolescents.