ABSTRACT
Background: The metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder associated to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Aims: To assess the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among 16-21 years Cameroonian adolescents and analyzed the influence of age, gender and weight status. Study Design: This was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of study: Commercial High school of Yaoundé, between January and May 2012. Methods: MetS was defined according to United States (US) adapted pediatric criteria and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. A cross sectional study was set to collect data from 1765 adolescents (59.1% girls). Results: Using the US criteria, the prevalence of MetS was 20.3%, while IDF criteria showed a lower prevalence of 15.3%. Girls were at greater risk for MetS (US 25.0% and IDF 23.4%) compared to boys (US 15.0% and IDF 6.1%). The prevalence of MetS was elevated in elder adolescents (US 22.4% and IDF 18.9%) as compared to youngster (US 14.9% and IDF 5.9%). Overweight adolescents (BMI≥25kg/m2) were more exposed to MetS (US 25.5% and IDF 26.7%) than normal weight (US 17.4% and IDF 9.0%). MetS prevalence itself varied markedly according to criteria used. Both US and IDF criteria, showed highest rate of low HDL (US 55.0% and IDF 49.3%) and elevated blood pressure (US 28.8% and IDF 27.0%). Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS among our study population was high especially in girls and overweight adolescents. Individual MetS abnormalities are common in adolescents, further studies are needed to draw a more precise picture of the situation in order to better target interventions to improve future cardiovascular health.