Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence in Childhood Obesity and Assesment of Obesity Related Conditions

Abstract

Childhood obesity is an important risk factor fort he development of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess the childhood obesity and the related conditions, to investigate the frequency of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome and the possible related factors with these. The medical records of patients those referring to the Well-Child Outpatient Clinic of Gaziantep University, School of Medicine for routine health check-ups (medical examination) or to be vaccination were reviewed. 100 obese children, diagnosed according the International Obesity Task Force, included into the study. Relative weight ratio between 120-140 was classified as obesity, and a ratio above 140 was considered as morbid obesity. The average age of patients (55 female, 45 male) was 11.2 ±3.8 (3-17) years. Thirty three of the subjects were children and, 67 of them were adolescents. The 48% percent of the subjects were morbidly obese. Morbid obesity was higher in adolescents and in patients with a consanguinity between parents. Insulin resistance was determined 6.7% in children, 47.5% in adolescents. Free T4 levels were lower in patients with insulin resistance (p= 0.000). There was a negative correlation between fT4 and weight, body mass index and HOMA levels (p<0.05). Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 42.4% in children, 64.2% in adolescents according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III and 29.9% according to the International Diabetes Foundation (only adolescents). Metabolic syndrome prevalence was higher in adolescents (p=0.039). Conclusion: Being morbidly obese of half of the subjects and determination of metabolic syndrome in approximately more than half of the subjects are important conditions for the development of metabolic complications at the adulthood. Determination and measure of risk factors fort he development of metabolic syndrome in childhood obesity will provide a considerable contribution to public health.