Examining the Relationship between adolescent Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Although it is clear that childhood obesity can play a part in developing metabolic syndrome in childhood and adulthood, conflicting research has suggested that more research on the topic should be done to determine if adolescent obesity alone is a main cause for metabolic syndrome, and what other factors contribute to the disease. The purpose of this review was to determine whether a link exists between obesity during adolescence and metabolic syndrome in adolescence and adulthood. The findings of the research reviewed are mostly all similar, painting a picture that there is a link between adolescent obesity and metabolic syndrome in both children and adults. The majority of the children who were obese were at a greater risk for metabolic syndrome than children who were not obese. In addition, the children who were obese had at least one of the five factors of metabolic syndrome. A major takeaway from the findings is that a need exists for a guideline for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome for adolescents since one does not exist. In summary, even though most of the research sheds a light on how childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome can be connected, more research needs to be done to firmly link the role of adolescent obesity in the development of metabolic syndrome in children and adults.