Persistence of the metabolic syndrome and its influence on carotid artery intima media thickness in overweight Latino children.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the influence of persistence of the metabolic syndrome (Mets) and its individual components over a 3-year period on carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in overweight Latino children.


METHODS
Ninety-seven healthy male and female overweight Latino children (mean age at baseline: 11.0+/-1.8 years) were assessed for MetS on four annual evaluations and classified according to the persistence of MetS: NEVER (0 annual visits with the MetS, n=53), INTERMITTENT (1 or 2 visits with the MetS, n=28), and PERSISTENT (3 or 4 visits with the MetS, n=16). CIMT was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasound (7.9+/-0.7 months after the most recent MetS assessment; mean age: 14.6+/-1.8 years).


RESULTS
PERSISTENT MetS was associated with significantly higher CIMT (0.647+/-0.018mm compared to 0.600+/-0.007mm in those who NEVER had MetS, p<0.01). This difference remained significant after controlling for gender, baseline age, total fat mass, total lean tissue mass and insulin sensitivity. PERSISTENT high waist circumference and PERSISTENT high blood pressure were also significantly associated with higher mean CIMT, but these differences were no longer significant after controlling for total fat and lean tissue mass. Baseline systolic blood pressure and 2-h glucose were significantly related to CIMT independent of all other MetS components (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Persistence of the MetS over a 3-year period was uniquely associated with increased CIMT during childhood. Children with hypertension, persistent abdominal adiposity or impaired glucose tolerance may also be at higher risk for elevated CIMT.
Toledo-Corral
Claudia M
CM
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9073, United States.
Ventura
Emily E
EE
Hodis
Howard N
HN
Weigensberg
Marc J
MJ
Lane
Christianne J
CJ
Li
Yanjie
Y
Goran
Michael I
MI
D000293:Adolescent; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography