Metabolic Syndrome Rates in United States Adolescents, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2002
Objective
To report the prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the United States using 4 previously reported definitions of the syndrome.
Study design
Data from 12- to 19-year-old adolescents included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2002 (NHANES 99-02) were analyzed by cross-sectional methods, by using 4 definitions of the metabolic syndrome previously applied to adolescents.
Results
In NHANES 99-02, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in all teens varied from 2.0% to 9.4% of teens in the United States, depending on the definition used. In obese teens, these prevalence rates varied from 12.4% to 44.2%. In the group of obese teens, application of the definition by Cruz produced a metabolic syndrome prevalence rate of 12.4%; that of Caprio produced a rate of 14.1%. However, none of the normal weight or overweight teens met either definition. Application of the definition by Cook produced a prevalence rate of 7.8% in overweight teens and 44% in obese teens. The adult definition of metabolic syndrome produced a prevalence rate of 16% in overweight teens and 26% in obese teens.
Conclusions
In the period between 1999 and 2002, the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome varied from just >9% to as low as 2% of adolescents overall. Different definitions of metabolic syndrome generated prevalence rates in obese adolescents that varied widely from 12% to 44%. For this syndrome to be a useful construct, a more standardized set of criteria may be needed.
Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index, HDL, High-density lipoprotein, NCEP, National Cholesterol Education Panel, NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, PMSWG, Pediatric Metabolic Syndrome Working Group
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PII: S0022-3476(07)00562-8
doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.06.004
© 2008 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
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