Prevalence and trends of a metabolic syndrome phenotype among U.S. adolescents, 1999-2000

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - To determine the prevalence of a metabolic syndrome phenotype among U.S. adolescents using the most recent national data and to examine trends in metabolic syndrome prevalence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Analysis of data on 991 adolescents (aged 12-19 years) who had fasted for at least 6 h, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2000). The metabolic syndrome was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel III) definition modified for age. RESULTS - The overall prevalence of a metabolic syndrome phenotype among U.S. adolescents increased from 4.2% in NHANES III (1988-1992) to 6.4% in NHANES 1999-2000 (P < 0.001). The syndrome was more prevalent (P < 0.01) in male than female adolescents (9.1 vs. 3.7%) and was found in 32.1% of overweight adolescents (BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex), compared with 7.1% of adolescents at risk for overweight (BMI between 85th and 95th percentiles) (P < 0.001). Based on population-weighted estimates, >2 million U.S. adolescents currently have a metabolic syndrome phenotype. CONCLUSIONS - The prevalence of a metabolic syndrome phenotype has increased significantly over the past decade among U.S. adolescents and is particularly prevalent (>30%) in overweight adolescents. These findings have important implications for public health because of the well-known health risks associated with the metabolic syndrome in adults.