Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa

Abstract

ObjectiveMetabolic syndrome (MetS), defined as the clustering of three of five risk factors (hypertension, obesity, triglyceridemia, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia), is being increasingly mentioned among children and adolescents despite there being no consensus on how it should be defined in this set of population. Furthermore, very few studies have focused on MetS in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan populations. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the prevalence of the MetS and contributing risk in adolescents living in Mthatha, South Africa.Research design and methodsFour hundred and ten adolescents (age range: 13–18 years, both sexes) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. In addition to a lifestyle questionnaire being administered, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumferences) were carried out for each participant. Fasting venous blood was collected for lipid profile and blood glucose assessments. Blood pressure was also measured. MetS was assessed using appropriate diagnostic criteria for children and adolescents.ResultsComplete data sets were collected from 371 participants. Females showed an elevation in the risk factors for MetS. Of the 371 participants, 40.2% were overweight/obese (47.5% females; 22.5% males). MetS was diagnosed in 3.1% female participants compared with 6.0% in male participants.ConclusionsMore risk factors for the MetS are seen among the overweight/obese as compared to lean adolescents. Given the fact that childhood overweight/obesity often continues into adulthood, it is important to address the causes of increased risk for MetS earlier in life to prevent the development of disease in adult life.

Overweight/obesity and associated cardiovascular risk factors in sub-Saharan African children and adolescents: a scoping review

“…Hypertension was strongly associated with obesity in a study involving South African adolescent aged 13-17 years [98]. The prevalence of hypertension (systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95th percentile for age, sex and height) and prehypertension (systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90thto < 95thpercentile for age sex and height) in obese adolescents was 32.6% in females and 32.8% in males [98]. Meanwhile, in Cameroon, the prevalence of hypertension in obese children was 25% [96] and 27.7% of obese Nigerian adolescents were hypertensive [99].…”

“…Hypertension There is also little data on the prevalence of hypertension in overweight/obese SSA children and adolescents. Hypertension was strongly associated with obesity in a study involving South African adolescent aged 13-17 years [98]. The prevalence of hypertension (systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95th percentile for age, sex and height) and prehypertension (systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90thto < 95thpercentile for age sex and height) in obese adolescents was 32.6% in females and 32.8% in males [98].…”

The risk of metabolic syndrome as a result of lifestyle among Ellisras rural young adults

“…Moreover, it is important to be mindful of the other risk factors for MetS, namely, unhealthy diets and risky lifestyles [ 1 , 2 ]. For example, the current diet consumed by South Africans needs close monitoring as it is thought to fuel the prevalence of MetS in the country [ 14 ]. In fact, the consumption of high-fat and high-sugar diets, especially by those who have financial constraints is undesirable.…”

Metabolic Syndrome Among Children and Adolescents in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Regarding study population, 20 studies[35, 47, 50, 55, 57, 58, 63, 69, 71, 72, 77, 79, 84, 87-89, 91, 92, 95, 104] were conducted among overweight and/or obese children and adolescents, and 56 studies[33,34,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46], 48, 49, 51-54, 56, 59-62, 64-68, 70, 73-76, 78, 80-83, 85, 86, 90, 93, 94, 96-103, 105-108] were conducted among the general population of children and adolescents. This review included 142,142 study participants from 76 articles.…”