Dissertation on Risk Factors, Complications and Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children and Adolescents

Obesity is a global epidemic not only in developed countries, but also in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in all age groups for both genders. The higher the prevalence of childhood obesity, the higher the risk of obesity in adulthood, so it is important to be aware of preventable and unpreventable risk factors for obesity. This is particularly useful when long-term obesity prevention and reduction programmes are initiated.

Chronic obesity-related complications such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, abnormal glucose metabolism, irregular periods in girls, fatty liver disease, etc., are observed early in overweight children. Many of these disorders are components or diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. Although the metabolic syndrome is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, but metabolic syndrome does not play the same role in determining risk in children. The detection of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents draws attention to a high-risk group of children who require intensive lifestyle modification, multidisciplinary care, often the use of medication, and in rare cases – consideration of bariatric surgery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors, complications and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.

The results of the study show that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are present at an early age in obese children also in Latvia. Obese children aged 10 years and older had higher blood pressure, higher total cholesterol, insulin, and uric acid levels and other biochemical parameters in their blood compared to children of normal weight. A positive family history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and parental obesity had a negative impact on anthropometric and blood pressure parameters in obese children. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was confirmed in 21% of the children in the study population. Both the degree of obesity and parental obesity significantly increased the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Physicians should carefully monitor the child's growth and maturation and remind parents of the child's healthy diet and physical activity when rapid weight changes are observed. Overweight children should be regularly screened for obesity complications.

Defence of the doctoral dissertation of Jurgita Gailite titled Risk Factors, Complications and Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children and Adolescents will take place on 24 October 2022 in an open meeting.
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Supervisors: RSU Prof. Dace Gardovska and RSU Assoc Prof. Iveta Dzīvīte-Krišāne.

RSU dissertation catologue