G585(P) Prevalence of childhood metabolic syndrome, general characteristics, risk factors and comorbidities among children who attend the obesity clinic at teaching hospital peradeniya, sri lanka

Abstract

Introduction Prevalence of childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome is growing worldwide increasing childhood morbidity. Objectives To identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among obese and overweight children attending the obesity clinic at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and to assess their general characteristics, risk factors and co morbidities. Materials and methods This is a retrospective observational study. Results There were 187 children with BMI >85 th percentile; boys-96 (51.3%), girls- 91 (48.7%) 45% of them had waist circumference more than 90th percentile for age. Fasting blood sugar was more than 100 mg/dl in 3.53% of them. HDL was less than 40 mg/dl in 33% of them. Triglyceride level was more than 100 mg/dl in 47% of them. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 11%. 79% and 51% of them had acanthosis nigricans and fatty liver respectively. 15.06% were born with low birth weight. ( All had been breastfed and median duration of breastfeeding is 2.95 years. Median age of weaning was 5.97 month. 63.32% received formula. 70% of them had at least one parent with overweight/obesity and had at least one parent with hyperlipidaemia, Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension at 44%, 40% and 33% respectively. Engagement in physical activities was negligible in 49%. 61.36% of them could lose or maintain weight with life style modification. However 66.46% later defaulted. Conclusion Study revealed that the majority of the obese and overweight children do not engage in adequate amount of physical activities. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 11% among them, yet metabolic co-morbidities are frequent. Life style modification can be used efficiently to manage obesity, although long-term compliance is challenging.