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Metabolic syndrome and its association with diet and physical activity in U.S. adolescents
Author(s) -
Pan Yang,
Pratt Charlotte
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a167-c
Subject(s) - medicine , waist , overweight , percentile , metabolic syndrome , quartile , blood pressure , body mass index , physical activity , obesity , psychological intervention , demography , endocrinology , physical therapy , confidence interval , sociology , statistics , mathematics , psychiatry
Research on the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with lifestyle behaviors in adolescents is important for identifying subgroups of youth to whom interventions should be targeted. Data were analyzed using NHANES 1999–2002. MS was defined as having ≥ 3 of the following conditions: waist circumference ≥ 90 th percentile for age/gender, fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL, blood triglycerides ≥ 100 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol ≤ 35 mg/dL, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 th percentile for height or taking antihypertensive drugs. Diet quality was assessed using the healthy eating index (HEI) and its components. The association between MS and physical activity was presented as the prevalence of MS by different physical activity levels. A sample of 4,450 12 to 19 year olds was obtained of whom 3.5% had MS. More males than females (5.1% vs.1.7%, p<.0001) had MS. MS was 16 times higher in overweight adolescents (BMI ≥ 95%ile) compared to those of BMI < 85%ile (14.5% vs. 0.9%, p<0.0001). Prevalence of MS decreased with increments of overall HEI and fruit score quartiles. Higher overall HEI and fruit scores were associated with lower MS (p<.001). There was a trend toward lower MS in adolescents with higher physical activity levels (2.6%) compared to those who were sedentary (4.3%) or moderately active (3.1%). The results support the need to engage adolescents in regular physical activity and healthful dietary practices.