Proportion of metabolic syndrome among overweight and obese children of age 6 to 16 years attending a tertiary care centre, Kerala

Background: This study aimed to find out the proportion of overweight and obese children of age 6-16 years having metabolic syndrome and to find out the risk factors for the same. Methods: This hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in obesity clinic of Department of Paediatric, Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha over a period of 18 months (from jan 2019 to june 2020). Sample size was calculated as 210 children including 20% expected dropout. Children of age 6-16 years with BMI > 85th centile attending the obesity clinics were enrolled for the study as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After getting consent/assent, relevant points from history, physical examination and investigations were recorded. The data obtained were entered in excel spread sheet and analyzed. Results: In this study, 28.9% were overweight and 71.1% were obese. Proportion of metabolic syndrome [MetS] among subject with overweight and obese were 18% and 29.3% respectively. Metabolic syndrome were more in males, children receiving more calories, have passive smoking and were born as preterm or big baby. Abdominal obesity was present in all children with MetS. Significant associations were found between MetS and inflammatory markers like CRP. Among the metabolic parameters, elevated level of uric acid, SGOT, SGPT and abnormal lipid profile were found to have a positive correlation with MetS. Conclusions: More than 25% of children with BMI > 85th centile is found to have MetS. Being overweight also is high risk for development of metabolic syndrome. High calorie intake, passive smoking, prematurity, birth weight more than 4 kg and abdominal obesity are significant risk factors identified.