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Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Tunisian overweight and obese children.

AIMS
To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its parameters in a cohort of overweight and obese Tunisian schoolchildren and to investigate the involvement of leptin, and insulin in MS development via obesity.


METHODS
A total of 306 schoolchildren between 10- 12 years: obese (n=35), overweight (n=99) and normal weight (n=172) were included in the study. Height, weight, waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A blood sample was collected from each subject to measure glycemia, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, leptin and insulin. MS diagnosis was based on criteria of  the International Diabetes Federation.


RESULTS
Prevalence of MS was 14.3% in obese children compared to 1% in overweight and 0% in controls (p0.001). Abdominal obesity and hypertension  were the most frequent parameters (88.6% and 25.7% respectively) in obese children. Leptin levels were significantly higher in children with MS (p0.001). In obese children, leptin was positively correlated to waist circumference (r=0.55; p=0.001) and insulin (r=0.52; p=0.002). After adjustment for BMI, leptin remained correlated with insulin (r=0.47; p0.001).


CONCLUSION
MS is relatively common among Tunisian overweight and obese children. Obesity is an important risk factor for MS development. Early management of childhood obesity is necessary to avoid metabolic complications.