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Abdominal obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome in U.S. adolescents: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016
Citation:
Gaston, S., N. Tulve, AND T. Ferguson. Abdominal obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome in U.S. adolescents: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016. ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 30:30-36, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.11.009
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this exploratory analysis were to use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to: 1) estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors (elevated blood pressure, triglycerides, blood glucose, and low HDL cholesterol); 2) estimate the prevalence of MetS using three common definitions; and 3) compare the odds of MetS risk factors/MetS when using different measures of abdominal obesity (sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) versus waist circumference (WC) among United States adolescents. Methods: Analyses were performed on data collected from adolescents aged 12-19 years (N = 855) participating in the 2011-2014 NHANES. Prevalence of MetS risk factors and MetS were estimated. Unadjusted and adjusted binomial/multinomial logistic regressions were performed to test associations between WC and SAD z-scores and MetS risk factors/MetS. Results: Males were more likely to have MetS risk factors. Depending on sex and the definition applied, the prevalence of MetS ranged from 2% to 10%, and was lowest among females. Adjusted logistic regressions showed similar increases in the odds of MetS risk factors/MetS for one-unit increases in SAD and WC z-scores. Conclusions: Metabolic dysfunction and MetS are prevalent among U.S. adolescents, and it is important to consider which definition of MetS is being used in population inferences. It is likely that measurement of either SAD or WC will equally identify adolescents that may need further monitoring and testing for MetS risk factors. This study also highlights the need to assess and intervene to decrease the prevalence of MetS risk factors among adolescents.
Description:
Purpose: The objectives were to use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to: 1) estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors (elevated blood pressure, triglycerides, blood glucose, and low HDL cholesterol); 2) estimate the prevalence of MetS using three common definitions; and 3) compare the odds of MetS risk factors/MetS when using different measures of abdominal obesity (sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) versus waist circumference (WC)) among United States adolescents. Methods: Analyses were performed on data collected from adolescents aged 12-19 years (N = 1,214) participating in the 2011-2016 NHANES. Prevalence of MetS risk factors and MetS were estimated. Unadjusted and adjusted binomial/multinomial logistic regressions were performed to test associations between WC and SAD z-scores and MetS risk factors/MetS. Results: Males were more likely to have MetS risk factors. Depending on sex and the definition applied, the prevalence of MetS ranged from 2% to 11% and was lowest among females. Adjusted logistic regressions showed that one z-score increase in SAD and WC resulted in similar increased odds of MetS risk factors/MetS, but associations between abdominal obesity and MetS may vary by definition applied and race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Metabolic dysfunction and MetS are prevalent among U.S. adolescents, and it is important to consider how MetS components and MetS are measured in population inference.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Abdominal obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome in U.S. adolescents: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016