title: Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Juvenile obesity is associated with multiple cardiometabolic comorbidities, which may culminate in the metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a narrative review, the current knowledge of prevalence and the underlying metabolic principles regarding juvenile obesity and MetS are summarized to compile up-to-date information. In addition, the role of lifestyle as well as positive and negative influencing factors are focused on.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MetS occurs between 1 and up to 23% in the total pediatric population and in up to 60% amongst the obese and overweight. It can be considered as the consequence of multiple processes in terms of lifestyle, perinatal programming, and (epi-)genetic pathways; however, the complex underlying mechanisms and their interplay are not completely understood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides preventive approaches, the growing number of obese children and youth as well as its consequences call for effective and lasting therapeutic measures.
authors.affiliation: Department for Physical Activity in Public Health, Institute for Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.affiliation: Department for Physical Activity in Public Health, Institute for Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferrari
keywords: Juvenile obesity; Metabolic syndrome; Multicomponent approach; Prevention; Therapy