Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US-born Latin and Caribbean youth.
BACKGROUND
Little is knows about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) among overweight first or second generation United States immigrant children/adolescents from Central/South America and the Caribbean basin.


METHODS
Analysis of anthropometric and laboratory data (N = 224) in overweight children ages 3-18 (64% Hispanic, 25% AfroCaribbean/black, 8% white, 3% multiracial) was conducted. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of individual parameters of MS and the MS (defined as > or =3 abnormal components).


RESULTS
The prevalence of the MS was 29% for the overall sample; an additional 28% had two MS components. Boys were significantly more likely than girls to have abnormal systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). Hispanics were significantly more likely than blacks to have abnormal triglyceride and HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01 for both comparisons).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that both sub-groups of, and major ethnic groups (Mexican- and African American) are at equal risk for cardiometabolic disease. Early identification of MS in recent immigrant children may improve their future cardiometabolic health.
Messiah
Sarah E
SE
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Batchelor Children's Research Institute Room 541 1580 NW 10th Avenue (D820), Miami, FL 33101, USA. smessiah@med.miami.edu
Carrillo-Iregui
Adriana
A
Garibay-Nieto
Nayely
N
Lopez-Mitnik
Gabriela
G
Cossio
Sissi
S
Arheart
Kristopher L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D002489:Central America / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013020:South America / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology