Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among obese adolescents enrolled in a multidisciplinary weight management program: clinical correlates and response to treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome at baseline and after 6 months of lifestyle modification among obese adolescents referred to a multidisciplinary weight management program.


METHODS
A total of 165 obese adolescents were evaluated at baseline, and measurements were repeated in 57 subjects who completed 6 months of the program. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having three or more of the following: a body mass index (BMI) >97(th) percentile, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hypertriglyceridemia, and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).


RESULTS
The prevalence of a BMI >97(th) percentile, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C, and IFG was 92.7, 54.5, 29.1, 26.7, and 2.4%, respectively. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome at baseline was 30.3%. After 6 months of lifestyle modification, BMI z scores, percent body fat, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly from baseline; however, there was no significant change in the number of subjects demonstrating >or=three criteria of the metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately one third of the study subjects met the criteria of the metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the growing concern for the future development of premature cardiovascular disease in this high-risk population. Our data suggest that new strategies for lifestyle modification may be needed to improve cardiovascular risk factors significantly among adolescents with obesity.
Wickham
Edmond P
EP
Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0111, USA. ewickham@mcvh-vcu.edu
Stern
Marilyn
M
Evans
Ronald K
RK
Bryan
Daphne L
DL
Moskowitz
William B
WB
Clore
John N
JN
Laver
Joseph H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004035:Diet Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides