Ramin Heshmat
1, Zeinab Hemati
2, Mostafa Qorbani
3,4*, Laleh Nabizadeh Asl
1,5, Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh
6, Hasan Ziaodini
7, Majzoubeh Taheri
8, Zeinab Ahadi
1, Gita Shafiee
1, Tahereh Aminaei
8, Hooman Hatami
9, Roya Kelishadi
2*1 Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Pediatrics Department, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
4 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
6 Pediatrics Department, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
7 Bureau of Health and Fitness, Ministry of Education and Training, Tehran, Iran
8 Office of Adolescents and School Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
9 Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the common metabolic disorders seen in children and adolescents. This study aims to assess the rate of the MetS and its associated factors in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian pediatric age groups.
Methods: This nationwide cross- sectional study was designed in 2015 in 30 provinces of Iran. Participants consisted of 4,200 school students, aged 7-18 years, studied in a national school-based surveillance program (CASPIAN-V). Physical examination and laboratory tests were performed using standard protocols. Blood samples were drawn from 3834 students for biochemical tests.
Results: The participation rate for blood sampling was 91.5%. MetS was significantly more prevalent among students in urban than in rural areas (5.7% vs. 4.8%, P value < 0.01). MetS was more prevalent in students with obese parents than in those with non-obese parents (6.4% vs. 4.5%, P value < 0.05). Significant association existed between moderate level of healthy nutritional behaviors and MetS after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR]: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.98). Students with high unhealthy nutritional behaviors showed an increased risk of MetS in crude (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.05-2.44) and adjusted model (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05-2.63).
Conclusion: High rate of MetS and associated risk factors was observed in Iranian pediatric age groups, with higher rates among boys. These findings provide useful information for effective preventive strategies based on diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification rather than therapeutic modalities.