Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in obese prepubertal children in Lebanon: a primary health concern.

Background/Aims: Ethnic-based associations between obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have been suggested. The prevalence of MS in obese children was found to range between 13.9 and 48.8%, depending on the country of origin. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between obesity and various components of MS in prepubertal children in Lebanon. Methods: Eighty-seven obese children (Tanner stage 1), 25 overweight and 28 normal-weight controls were recruited from private and public schools. Anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure measurements were performed. Results: According to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition, the MS was identified in 26.4 and 4% of obese and overweight children, respectively, with a higher prevalence among girls than boys. The most common abnormalities among subjects with MS were elevated waist circumference (WC) (100.0%), high triglyceride (91.7%) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (66.7%) levels. Insulin resistance was identified in 70% of obese children and 75% of those having the MS. Body mass index, WC and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significant determinants of the MS in this age group. Conclusion: MS was found in 26.4% of obese Lebanese children, thus underscoring the importance of early screening of obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities and of developing successful multicomponent interventions addressing pediatric obesity and MS. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel