Obese teenagers are much more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome - which
can lead to heart disease - if they live in Brazil than Italy, according to a study in the
October issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.
Researchers from the two countries looked at more than 500 obese teenage boys
and girls to see if there was any difference in metabolic syndrome, an increasing
worldwide problem where fat deposits lead to thickening and hardening of artery
walls, increasing the risk of heart disease.
They found that 35 per cent of the Brazilian boys suffered from metabolic syndrome,
compared with 24 per cent of the Italian boys.
They also discovered that boys were twice as likely as girls to suffer from metabolic
syndrome, recording levels of 16 per cent for Brazilian girls and 12.5 per cent for
Italian girls.
"We found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors varied
considerably between the two countries and that insulin resistance appears to be a
major factor" says lead author Danielle Caranti, who carried out the study with
Professor Ana D??maso from the Federal University of Sao Paulo and Professor
Alessandro Sartorio from the Italian Institute for Auxology in Milan.
"It is likely that this reflects differences in genetic, environmental, social, economic
and dietary factors between the two countries."
Of the 509 teenagers who took part in the study, 110 were from Brazil (64 girls and
46 boys) and 399 were from Italy (255 girls and 144 boys). Their average age was
16 and their body mass index ranged from 35.1 to 37.3, which is over the 97th centile
for their age and sex and indicates a severe level of obesity.
The researchers discovered a number of variations in the detailed blood tests they
carried out.
They discovered that the Brazilian teenagers showed significantly higher levels of:
Insulin resistance, which can cause problems such as Type 2 Diabetes, high
blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and heart disease. Brazilian boys
averaged 4.8 (Italian boys 2.7) and Brazilian girls averaged 3.5 (Italian girls
2.3).
Fasting plasma glucose (blood sugar levels after an overnight fast). Brazilian
boys averaged 92.5 mg/dl (Italian boys 76.3) and Brazilian girls 90.7 (Italian
girls 73.9).
Triglycerides, the chemical form in which most fat exists. Brazilian boys
averaged 130.9 mg/dl (Italian boys 105.6) and Brazilian girls 109.9 (Italian girls
90.4).
However, Italian teenagers showed significantly higher levels of:
LDL cholesterol, which helps to form deposits that can narrow arteries and make
them less flexible. Italian boys averaged 106.9 mg/dl (Brazilian boys 94.2) and
Italian girls averaged 102.8 (Brazilian girls 90.0).
Systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the
heart contracts and pushes blood out into the body. Italian boys averaged 129.3
(Brazilian boys 125.2) and Italian girls 122.8 (120.3).
40 per cent in obese teenagers in different countries, mainly because of the different
criteria used to define metabolic syndrome" says Danielle Caranti. "But few studies
have made direct comparisons between two groups in this way.
"Our findings suggest that insulin resistance, together with the level of obesity, is a
critical component in measuring metabolic syndrome risk in adolescence. It stood out
in our study as the most frequently altered parameter when it came to the
development of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian and Italian teenagers.
"We hope that our study will provide valuable information on why metabolic
syndrome is more prevalent in some societies than others.
"Identifying the causes of metabolic syndrome is an important step towards
developing effective long-term strategies to combat this worldwide emerging health problem."
Notes:
Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian and Italian obese
adolescents: a comparison study. Caranti et al. IJCP, the International Journal of
Buy soma pills Clinical Practice. 62.10, pp 1526-1532. (October 2008).
IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice was established in 1946 and is
edited by Dr Graham Jackson from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust,
London, UK. It provides its global audience of clinicians with high-calibre clinical
papers, including original data from clinical investigations, evidence-based
analysis and discussions on the latest clinical topics. The journal is published
by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, part of the international Blackwell Publishing group.

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