Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome among 10-16 adolescents in 7 provinces in China, 2012

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among children and adolescents aged 10-16 years old in 7 provinces in China. Methods: Using the method of stratified cluster random sampling, 93 primary and secondary schools were selected from Guangdong, Hunan, Liaoning, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Ningxia provinces in China. A total of 9 296 students aged 10-16 years old with complete physical and biochemical parameters were selected as the subjects of the present study from above 93 primary and secondary schools. MS was determined using the definition of 'guideline of 2010 Chinese children and adolescents MS definition and treatment'. The standardized age-sex composition of the 2010 census was used to standardize the MS detection rate of every province. Chi-square test was used to compare the difference of MS prevalence among participants with different characteristics. Results: The prevalence of MS was 4.1% (384/9 296) among children and adolescents aged 10-16 years old in 7 provinces in China. The prevalence of MS among males was 5.0% (237/4 754), which was significantly higher than females (3.2%) (147/4 542) (P<0.05). Stratified by nutrition conditions, the prevalence of MS was 0, 0.6% (39/6 733), 8.9% (104/1 170), 30.0% (241/803) for thin, normal weight, overweight, and obese population, respectively. The MS prevalence increased with the increase of body mass index (BMI) (P<0.001). Stratified by provinces, the prevalence of MS was the highest in Tianjin (9.2%) and the lowest in Hunan province (0.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of MS was high among children and adolescents aged 10-16 years old in 7 provinces in China. MS prevalence among males was higher than females; MS prevalence among overweight/obese population was higher than normal weight population. The detection rate of metabolic syndrome was different in different provinces.