Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Thai Children: Defined Using Modified 'The National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III' Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered to be a risk of metabolic syndrome; however, data on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Thai obese children are scarce.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Thai obese children.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 obese children who were students of a public elementary school in Ongkharak district, Thailand, in 2013. Anthropometric data, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined using modified 'the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII)' criteria.

RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in obese children was 50.4%. Children with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher waist circumference (86.9 vs. 82.4 cm, p-value = 0.049), biceps skinfold thickness (17.2 vs. 14.9 mm, p-value = 0.017), suprailiac skinfold thickness (36.5 vs. 31.8 mm, p-value = 0.019), systolic blood pressure (119.7 vs. 112.6 mmHg, p-value = 0.007), diastolic blood pressure (73.7 vs. 69.0 mmHg, p-value = 0.022), fasting blood glucose (97.4 vs. 93.6 mg/dL, p-value = 0.009) and triglyceride levels (140.0 vs. 85.6 mg/dL, p-value < 0.001) than those without metabolic syndrome. HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in children with metabolic syndrome than those in without metabolic syndrome (48.7 vs. 63.1 mg/dL, p-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Of the sample, approximately half of children with obesity had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appears to be on the increase. Strategies for childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome prevention are urgently needed for Thai children.