Background: the risk factors associated to metabolic syndrome (MS) have been extensively studied in adults, but in children and adolescents it is poorly explored.Objective: To identify the prevalence of MS and associated factors in children and adolescents.Methods: A cross-sectional study with 540 children and adolescents from 7 to 14 years of age. the socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle data and the family history of chronic diseases were reported by the individual and/or guardian and recorded in a structured questionnaire. Biochemical tests (fasting blood glucose, triacylglycerols, reduced high-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, homocysteine and cysteine), an anthropometric assessment and a blood pressure measurement were performed. MS was defined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III adapted by Ferranti. A Poisson regression was used to identify the factors statistically associated with MS.Results: the MS prevalence was 12.8%, in which the most frequent component was a decreased high-density lipoprotein level (58.2%), followed by hypertriglyceridemia (41.8%), elevated blood pressure (29.1%), increased waist circumference (26.7%) and hyperglycemia (7.2%). Associations between metabolic syndrome and overweight [prevalence ratio (PR): 2.2 (1.22-3.95)], father education [PR: 2.19 (1.10-4.37)], serum very low-density lipoprotein concentration [PR: 1.08 (1.04-1.11)] and concomitantly increased serum homocysteine and cysteine concentrations [PR: 2.58(1.32-5.04)] were observed.Conclusions: the MS prevalence is high in children and adolescents and it is increased in patients with overweight, higher father education, increased serum very-low-density lipoprotein concentrations and a concomitant serum homocysteine and cysteine high levels.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Espirito Santo (FAPESB)Univ Fed Reconcavo Bahia, Ctr Hlth Sci, Santo Antonio de Jesus, BA, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Sch Med Bahia, Salvador, BA, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Paediat Gastroenterol & Hepatol Unity, Salvador, BA, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Sch Nutr, Salvador, BA, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Espirito Santo (FAPESB): 8814/2006Web of Scienc
