Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome among North Indian Adolescents Using Adult Treatment Panel III and Pediatric International Diabetic Federation Definitions

Background: Childhood obesity is an important risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescent. Because of high prevalence of Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in Indian Adult population, studies are needed to identify the prevalence of these metabolic abnormalities in adolescent population. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using Pediatric International Diabetic Federation definition and compare it with estimates of Adult Treatment Panel III definition among adolescents in Northern India. Material and methods: At total of 899 adolescents attending school (aged 10-18 years) participated in this population-based prospective study. All the clinical and biochemical assessment was done after proper consent. The metabolic syndrome was determined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition modified for age and Pediatric international diabetic federation definition. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 3.5% according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and 1.5% based on International Diabetic Federation criteria. No significant gender difference was observed in the distribution of metabolic syndrome. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common and abdominal obesity the least common constituent of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: This study provides the first estimates of metabolic syndrome using pediatric international diabetic federation definition in adolescent population from northern India.