High Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in Iranian Adolescents

Abstract

No evidence exists regarding the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in adolescents in Middle Eastern countries. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in a representative sample of Iranian adolescents. Anthropometry, biochemical measurements, and blood pressure were assessed in a population-based cross-sectional study of 3036 Iranian adolescents (1413 boys and 1623 girls) 10 to 19 years of age. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Overweight (> or = 95th percentile) and at risk for overweight (> or = 85th to < 95th percentile) was defined based on the standardized percentile curves of BMI suggested for Iranian adolescents. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 10.1% (95% confidence interval: 9.0 to 11.1) among Iranian adolescents (boys: 10.3%, 8.6 to 11.8; girls: 9.9%, 8.4 to 11.3). Overall, low serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high serum triglycerides were the most common components of the metabolic syndrome (42.8% and 37.5%, respectively). Overweight subjects had the highest proportion of metabolic syndrome compared with those at risk for overweight and those with normal weight (boys: 41.1% vs. 11.4% and 3.0%, respectively, p < 0.01; girls: 43% vs. 15.2% and 5.0%, respectively, p < 0.01). This study provides evidence showing a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Iranian adolescents, particularly among overweight adolescents.