Prevalence of a Metabolic Syndrome Phenotype in Adolescents: Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994

Cook, Stephen; Weitzman, Michael; Auinger, Peggy; Nguyen, Michael; Dietz, William H.

doi:10.1001/archpedi.157.8.821

Cited by 2,326Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and LipoproteinsObesity, Physical Activity, DietAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

Prevalence of a Metabolic Syndrome Phenotype in Adolescents: Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994

Cook, Stephen, Weitzman, Michael, Auinger, Peggy, Nguyen, Michael, Dietz, William H.·2003·Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

DOI 10.1001/archpedi.157.8.821

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In adults the metabolic syndrome imposes a substantial risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and premature coronary heart disease. Even so, no national estimate is currently available of the prevalence of this syndrome in adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and distribution of a metabolic syndrome among adolescents in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analyses of cross-sectional data obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), which was administered to a representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian population of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Male and female respondents aged 12 to 19 years (n = 2430). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence and distribution of a metabolic syndrome among US adolescents, using the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel III) definition modified for age. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years was 4.2%; 6.1% of males and 2.1% of females were affected (P=.01). The syndrome was present in 28.7% of overweight adolescents (body mass index [BMI], >/=95th percentile) compared with 6.8% of at-risk adolescents (BMI, 85th to <95th percentile) and 0.1% of those with a BMI below the 85th percentile (P<.001). Based on population-weighted estimates, approximately 910 000 US adolescents have the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Perhaps 4% of adolescents and nearly 30% of overweight adolescents in the United States meet these criteria for a metabolic syndrome, a constellation of metabolic derangements associated with obesity. These findings may have significant implications for both public health and clinical interventions directed at this high-risk group of mostly overweight young people.

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For diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, as well as in adults, WC rather than BMI is used as a diagnostic criterion.
“For diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents, as well as in adults, WC rather than BMI is used as a diagnostic criterion.13-15”
From Reference Values for Waist Circumference and Waist–Height Ratio in Korean Children and Adolescents (2022) · cites this paper as [13]

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Authors: Cook, S., Weitzman, M., Auinger, P., Nguyen, M., & Dietz, W. H.
Affiliations: University of Rochester Medicine (US)
University of Rochester (US)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
Corresponding author: Cook, Stephen
ORCID: Cook, Stephen
Weitzman, Michael
Auinger, Peggy
Nguyen, Michael
Dietz, William H.
Venue: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Published: 2003-08-01
Volume: 157
Issue: 8
Pages: 821
ISSN: 1072-4710 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.157.8.821
OpenAlex: W2061256393
Cited by: 2,326
References: 6
Citations by year: 2026: 29 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 75 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 81 · 2020: 64 · 2019: 78 · 2018: 85 · 2017: 65 · 2016: 88 · 2015: 110 · 2014: 128 · 2013: 150 · 2012: 132
FWCI: 51.81
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords: metabolic syndrome, adolescents, prevalence, obesity, overweight, body mass index, sex differences, type 2 diabetes risk, cardiovascular risk, NCEP ATP III criteria, NHANES III
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ethnicity, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Phenotype, United States, Body Mass Index, Prevalence, Sex Distribution, Metabolic Syndrome

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Prevalence of a Metabolic Syndrome Phenotype in Adolescents: Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994

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