title: [Obesity and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents].
abstract: Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are closely related to the cases of cardiovascular disease; they are usually regarded as belonging to the adult population but are seen with increasing frequency in children and adolescents. There is evidence that atherosclerotic lesions occur most often in young people with obesity. The factors involved in this pandemic are manifold and range from genetic-biological to cultural changes. The family and the environment in which the child develops play a key role in the adoption of habits related to diet and physical activity. This problem does not respect borders and cultures but all countries are being affected, even more those of middle-income. State and Society as a whole can play a role oriented to modify this environment. The restriction on sales of unhealthy food and the fight against the sedentary lifestyle are urgently needed to be applied. The impact that these disorders will have in terms of cardiovascular disease, has not yet reached its true dimension.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Mitre, Buenos Aires.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosende
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iglesias
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cardiovascular disease; feeding disorders of childhood; metabolic syndrome x; sedentary lifestyle; visceral obesity