Abstract
We sought to determine if there was an intergenerational association between parental weight, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and disease status, with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in their young adult offspring. Young adults (n = 270, 21 ± 1 years, 53.3% female) were assessed for MetSyn and self-reported parent’s CRF, body mass status, and disease status. MetSyn was present in 11.9% of participants, 27.4% had one or two components, and 58.5% had no components. A significantly higher percentage (93.9%) of young adults with MetSyn identified at least one parent as being overweight or obese, 84.8% reported low parental CRF and 87.9% reported a parent with disease (all p < 0.017). MetSyn in offspring is more likely when parents are perceived to have low CRF, increased body mass, and a diagnosis of disease. Evaluating the offspring of people with low CRF, elevated body mass, or who have a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes should be considered to promote early identification and treatment of young adults to reduce future premature CVD in these at-risk individuals.
Highlights
Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) encompasses a broad range of metabolic abnormalities [1], which is reported to be present in 20–30% of adults worldwide [2]
The current study strongly suggests that young adults with at least one parent who has low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), is overweight or obese, or has cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes, may already have a detectable increase in their lifetime risk for CVD and diabetes
In addition to established parental disease, the current findings suggest that young adults who report a parent with low CRF or are overweight or obese have increased prevalence of MetSyn
Summary
Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) encompasses a broad range of metabolic abnormalities [1], which is reported to be present in 20–30% of adults worldwide [2]. MetSyn prevalence varies with age and is present in 5–7% of apparently healthy young adults worldwide [3]. There is a two-fold increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a five-fold increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with MetSyn [4]. Lifestyle interventions focusing on increasing physical activity levels, improving diet, and weight loss are effective in reducing MetSyn in young adults [5,6]. The identification of young adults who have a higher risk of MetSyn and, the development of clinical disease is difficult. Despite cholesterol screening being recommended for adults from the age of 20 years [6], less than 50% of 20–35-year-old males and 20–45-year-old females participate in cholesterol screening
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