Metabolic Syndrome in School Children in Mardin, South-Eastern of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MES) in a school children population. Materials and Methods:Three thousand four hundred and sixty children aged between 7 and 15 in three elementary schools in the city of Mardin, located in the south-eastern region of Turkey, were included in this study in April and May 2011. Age, gender, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured and a variety of blood tests were done. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used for the diagnosis of MES.Results: It was found that 9.42% of those tested were overweight, and 8.0% were obese. The study found that more girls (9.1%) were obese than girls (6.9%). The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among girls than boys (p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and the other parameters, namely waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), triglyceride (TG) (p=0.0001). It was found that total cholesterol (T-Chol), TG, BMI, systolic and diastolic BP were significantly different among obese MES's group and non-obese children (p<0.05). The waist/hip ratio reference value in girls was significantly higher than boys (p>0.05). The prevalence of MES was 6.3%. The number of components of MES was higher in girls and obese children. The rate of MES was 30.3% in obese children. Conclusion:The frequency of obesity, hypertension and MES in childhood period have been steadily increasing. Children who are classified having central obesity and high body mass index should be more carefully evaluated to its potential to progress to MES. And the quality of the life should be improved by reducing the risks resulted from life style changes, necessary treatments and follow ups.Key Words: Childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension Özet Amaç: Okul çocukları popülasyonunda, metabolik sendrom (MES) prevelansının tespit edilmesi amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem:Türkiye'nin güneydoğusundaki, Mardin şehir merkezinde, üç ilköğretim okulundaki, 7-15 yaşları arası, üç bin dört yüz altmış çocuk, Nisan-Mayıs 2011'de çalışmaya dahil edildi. Yaş, cins, boy, ağırlık, bel çevresi, kalça çevresi, bel/kalça oranı, sistolik ve diyas tolik kan basınçları ölçüldü ve kan testleri kaydedildi. MES tanısı için Uluslararası Diyabet Federasyonu (IDF) kriterleri kullanıldı. Bulgular: Çocukların %9,42'si fazla kilolu ve %8'i obezdi. Obezite kızlarda %9,1, erkekler de %6,9'du. Obezite prevelansı, kızlar arasında erkeklerden daha yüksek ve anlamlıydı (p<0.001). Vücut kitle indeksi (VKI) ve bel ve kalça çevresi, bel/kalça oranı, sistolik ve diyasto lik kan basıncı, trigliserid arasında pozitif korelasyon bulundu (p=0.0001). Total kolesterol, trigliserid, VKI, sistolik ve diyastolik kan basıncı obez MES'lu grupta, obez olmayanlardan anlamlı farklı idi (p<0.05). Kızların bel/kalça oranı referans değerleri, erkeklerinkinden anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti (p>0.05). MES preve...

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Elementary School Children in East of Iran

“…In the present study the prevalence of MS in obese children was 36.2% which is higher than the Chinese, 24 Egyptian 25 and Turkish children, 13 but less than three other studies from Iran 26 , 27 and Turkey. 28 …”

“…12 , 20 Other studies have reported a slightly higher prevalence of MS in females compared to males. 13 , 19 , 21 However, no meaningful difference in the prevalence of MS based on sex was to other studies from Iran. 18 , 22…”

“… 14 Considering the MS prevalence rate in our region, in a study performed in Turkey it was reported as 6.3% in 7-15-year-old children based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. 13 The same figure was 3% among Qatari school children 15 and 16.5% to 1.8% among school-aged children in Pakistan based on various definitions. 16 Prevalence rate of MS is very much dependent on the various definitions offered.…”

“…Recent reports indicate that the prevalence of childhood MS has substantially increased during childhood and adolescence due to the increasing rate of childhood obesity on a global scale. 12 , 13 If the occurrence of MS in children and adolescents is identified early, risk stratification of future cardiovascular events can be performed. 1 …”

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran: A meta-analysis

“…Prevalence rate of MetS among children and adolescents is very much dependent on the various definitions offered. This figure was 8.9% in 8 to 9-year-old Brazilian children by adopting specific criteria for age ( 85 ), 6.5% in Mexico using modified ATP III criteria ( 86 ), 6.3% in 7–15-year-old children based on IDF criteria in Turkey ( 87 ), 4% based on the modified-ATPIII criteria in Tunisia ( 88 ), 6.6% using the De Ferranti definition among elementary school children of China ( 89 ), 4.2% using modified ATPIII criteria in north India ( 90 ) and 16.5% to 18% among school-aged children in Pakistan based on various definitions ( 91 ). The absence of a comprehensive and universal definition of MetS in children and adolescents could, to some extent be a factor in the difference between the reported rates of prevalence from the numerous studies throughout the world.…”