The importance of weight for height in prediction of metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents: impact of gender and puberty

Abstract

Purpose:To determine the role of anthropometric indices such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist– height ratio, and weight for height in predicting metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents. Materials and methods: A total of 291 obese children and adolescents aged 6–16 years were included in this study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results:The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 22.3% and significantly higher in pubertal obese group than in pre-pubertal ones (p=0.004). Higher waist circumference and weight for height were found in obese children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome (p<0.05). Significantly higher weight for height was found in obese girls with metabolic syndrome but the difference was not significant for obese boys. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis revealed that weight for height was the most important predictor of metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents except obese boys (p<0.05). Conclusion: Weight for height may be a better marker predictor of metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents. The cut-off point of weight for height of 136.5% for all obese children, pubertal obese children, and obese girls, 139.5% for pre-pubertal obese children was proposed to predict for metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric parameters, particularly weight for height, must be evaluated in all obese children.