Abstract

BALAS-NAKASH, Margie et al. Pilot study to identify anthropometric indices associated with metabolic syndrome risk markers in school-aged Mexican children. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.2, pp.100-109. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity and high insulin levels. To implement effective screening tools to identify these comorbidities, there is a need to know the anthropometric factors associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome risk markers. Methods. In this pilot study, a complete nutrition evaluation was applied to 188 school-aged children (9-12 years old) from 3 urban public schools in Mexico City. Anthropometric indices (body mass, index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio) were associated with metabolic syndrome risk markers. Results and conclusions. Waist circumference is a better predictor of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia than body mass index. Waist-to height ratio was the most significant predictor for hypertriglyceridemia. Waist circumference accounts for half of blood pressure variation in obese children.

Keywords : School-aged children; cardiovascular risk factors; waist circumference; body mass index; waist-to-height ratio.

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