title: Hostility predicts metabolic syndrome risk factors in children and adolescents.
abstract: The authors tested in 134 African American and European American children whether hostility measured at study entry predicted the metabolic syndrome risk factors an average of 3 years later. Hostility was measured with the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale (W. W. Cook & D. M. Medley, 1954) and with ratings of Potential for Hostility from interview responses. Metabolic syndrome was based on having at least 2 of the following risk factors above the 75th percentile of scores for their age, race, and gender group: body mass index, insulin resistance index, ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and mean arterial blood pressure. Children who exhibited high hostility scores at baseline were likely to exhibit the metabolic syndrome at the follow-up. The results highlight the potential importance of early prevention and intervention of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Räikkönen
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salomon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*