TITLE:
Socio-demographic and health-related determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male Kuwaiti adolescents aged 10 - 19 years
AUTHORS:
Abdulwahab N. Al-Isa, Abayomi O. Akanji
KEYWORDS:
Metabolic Syndrome; Kuwaiti; Arabs; Adolescents; Obesity
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.4,
April
18,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Background and Aims: The aim of this study
was to explore the
association between socio-demographic and health-related factors and
metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male adolescents in Kuwait. Methods and Results: We used a cross sectional study with a sample of 303
male Kuwaiti adolescents of age 10 - 19 years, selected from intermediate and
high schools. All had anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. In
addition, a questionnaire for the evaluation of the association of a variety
of socio-demographic and health-related factors with MetS was given
to participants for assessing these factors. The presence of the MetS was
assessed in each subject using two validated criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel Modified for age (NCEP-ATP III) and the
International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
We established that the prevalence of MetS by the ATP III and IDF criteria
was respectively 9.8% and 11.7%. The educational level of both parents and factors
such as weight, diet and physical activity associated significantly with the
presence of MetS in Kuwaiti adolescents. Conclusions: The IDF gave higher values for the prevalence of MetS
than the ATP III. Using either criterion, this information obtained in this
study is important in planning strategies for prevention and control of this
disorder.