The metabolic syndrome, a dangerous cluster of risk factors previously seen in adults and adolescents, is now appearing in elementary school-aged children. The findings, presented at the 52nd American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting in Nashville, are the first to emerge from a three-year physical activity intervention and study to determine the prevalence of the condition in young children.
The metabolic syndrome has become a prevalent condition in North America, affecting nearly a quarter of U.S. men and women. An individual with the metabolic syndrome has three or more of the following factors: high blood pressure, high blood glucose, high plasma triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high waist circumference. The metabolic syndrome is considered a precursor for Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and premature mortality.
Three hundred seventy-five second- and third-grade boys and girls were assessed to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its related components in this age group. Researchers developed metabolic syndrome screening protocol for the children, defined as the presence of three or more of the following components: 1) central obesity (high waist circumference); 2) elevated triglyceride concentrations; 3) low HDL (good) cholesterol; 4) elevated blood pressure; or 5) elevated fasting glucose levels.
Five percent of both boys and girls were identified as having the metabolic syndrome. Half of the children had no components, and 45 percent had one or two components, with elevated blood pressure being the most common. Although the prevalence is low in this population, researchers say the results show the need for early prevention since components of the metabolic syndrome track into adulthood.