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Current Obesity Reports
Published in: Current Obesity Reports 4/2019

01-12-2019 | Obesity | Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: Diagnostic Criteria, Therapeutic Options and Perspectives

Authors: Paul Weihe, Susann Weihrauch-Blüher

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes our current understanding of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents. Special emphasis is given towards diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options.

Recent Findings

Consistent diagnostic criteria to define MetS in childhood and adolescence are not available to date. There is common agreement that the main features defining MetS include (1) disturbed glucose metabolism, (2) arterial hypertension, (3) dyslipidemia, and (4) abdominal obesity. However, settings of cut-off values are still heterogeneous in the pediatric population. Additional features that may define cardiometabolic risk, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFDL) or hyperuricemia, are not considered to date.

Summary

Prevalence of childhood obesity has more than doubled since 1980, and 6–39% of obese children and adolescents already present with MetS, depending on the definition applied. There is common agreement that a consistent definition of MetS is urgently needed for children to identify those at risk as early as possible. Such definition criteria should consider age, gender, pubertal stage, or ethnicity. Additional features such as NAFDL or hyperuricemia should also be included in MetS criteria. Lifestyle modification is still the main basis to prevent or treat childhood obesity and MetS, as other therapeutic options (pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery) are not available or not recommended for the majority of affected youngster.
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Metadata
Title
Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: Diagnostic Criteria, Therapeutic Options and Perspectives
Authors
Paul Weihe
Susann Weihrauch-Blüher
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 4/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-019-00357-x

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