Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Obese Prepubertal Children in Lebanon: A Primary Health Concern

Background/Aims: Ethnic-based associations between obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have been suggested. The prevalence of MS in obese children was found to range between 13.9 and 48.8%, depending on the country of origin. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between obesi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2010-01, Vol.57 (2), p.135-142
Main Authors: Nasreddine, L., Ouaijan, K., Mansour, M., Adra, N., Sinno, D., Hwalla, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood Glucose
Blood pressure
Body Mass Index
Cardiovascular disease
Case-Control Studies
Child
Cholesterol, HDL - blood
Cholesterol, LDL - blood
Female
Food science
Guardians
Health Status
High density lipoprotein
Humans
Insulin - blood
Insulin resistance
Lebanon - epidemiology
Male
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome - complications
Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology
Nutrition
Obesity
Obesity - complications
Obesity - epidemiology
Original Paper
Overweight
Pediatrics
Prevalence
Public schools
Triglycerides - blood
Waist Circumference
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Summary:Background/Aims: Ethnic-based associations between obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have been suggested. The prevalence of MS in obese children was found to range between 13.9 and 48.8%, depending on the country of origin. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between obesity and various components of MS in prepubertal children in Lebanon. Methods: Eighty-seven obese children (Tanner stage 1), 25 overweight and 28 normal-weight controls were recruited from private and public schools. Anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure measurements were performed. Results: According to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition, the MS was identified in 26.4 and 4% of obese and overweight children, respectively, with a higher prevalence among girls than boys. The most common abnormalities among subjects with MS were elevated waist circumference (WC) (100.0%), high triglyceride (91.7%) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (66.7%) levels. Insulin resistance was identified in 70% of obese children and 75% of those having the MS. Body mass index, WC and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significant determinants of the MS in this age group. Conclusion: MS was found in 26.4% of obese Lebanese children, thus underscoring the importance of early screening of obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities and of developing successful multicomponent interventions addressing pediatric obesity and MS.
ISSN:0250-6807
1421-9697
DOI:10.1159/000321532