Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risks in school children and adolescents in Croatia

Abstract:

The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents is made on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (ID F) criteria, which take into account specific parameters in this population, such as age, growth and development, and reference values of arterial blood pressure and waist circumference. In our survey among adolescents aged 16 to 18 years, increased waist circumference and increased blood pressure were present in 66 boys (5.4%) of a total of 1223 boys and 46 girls (4.1%) of a total of 1118 girls. In these adolescents, additional laboratory tests are required to make the diagnosis of MS. The program of specific measures of health care for school children and youth in Croatia includes routine anthropometric measurements during physical examinations and laboratory screening of children at risk of MS. 

Key words:
adolescent; child; metabolic syndrome X; risk factors