Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Early-Life Factors among Chinese and Spanish Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing problem worldwide in adolescents. This study compared two sample populations of young people in Spain and China, and analyzed the association of birth weight and breastfeeding duration with MetS. A cross-sectional study was conducted in adolescents (10–15 years old); 1150 Chinese and 976 Spanish adolescents. The variables analyzed were anthropometric characteristics, biochemical markers, and demographic characteristics using the same methodology and data collection protocol. Also, birth weight and breastfeeding were retrospectively analyzed during the first year of life. The results showed statistically significant differences between the two groups in reference to body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, triglyceride, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The MetS prevalence was higher in Spanish adolescents (2.5%) than in the Chinese group (0.6%). Breastfeeding duration was inversely associated with hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C, and MetS, whereas higher birth weight was associated with hyperglycemia, low HDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia, and abdominal obesity. Spanish adolescents showed more altered MetS components, and consequently, a higher MetS prevalence than the Chinese adolescents. This made them more vulnerable to cardiometabolic risk. Our results highlight the need for interventions designed by health professionals, which would encourage pregnant women to breastfeed their children.

A Sustainable Approach to the Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Its Economic Burden

“…The prevalence of overweight and obesity is consistent with previous studies that stated the increase of overweight and obese children from 4.2% in 1990 up to 6.7% in 2010 [51,52]. In this sense, several databases and studies have estimated that overweight and obesity are up to 24% in Spain [22,49,[53][54][55]. Additionally, prior studies have noted the importance of the geographical position, and climate since the higher prevalence of overweight is more common in the Mediterranean countries [55].…”

“…Moreover, a previous study carried out by Wang et al in 2019 showed that MetS prevalence was around 2.5% in a population of Spanish adolescents [22]. Furthermore, this study and other studies showed that there are gender differences in the prevalence of MetS, being more prevalent in men than women [22,23].…”

“…Moreover, a previous study carried out by Wang et al in 2019 showed that MetS prevalence was around 2.5% in a population of Spanish adolescents [22]. Furthermore, this study and other studies showed that there are gender differences in the prevalence of MetS, being more prevalent in men than women [22,23]. Additionally, previous studies have stated that metabolic syndrome and overweight is connected with micronutrients, such as vitamin D, or social factors, such as eating with familiars or eating with the TV on [24,25].…”

“…The Epidat 3.1 was used to carry out the sample calculation. An 80% participation rate was estimated based on the children's population, with an expected prevalence of MetS of 3.3% [22], a confidence level of 95%, and an accuracy of 3.75%.…”

“…However, to date, no unified definition exists to assess the risk of MetS in children and adolescents. Therefore, there is a lack of early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment [22].…”