Metabolic Syndrome in Childhood: defining the problem

There is a significant increase in the incidence of childhood obesity all over the world which frequently leads to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Several studies have focused on the definitive criteria for diagnosis of childhood obesity and the assessment of risks for the future adverse developments. The identifying criteria for metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents have been developed. The factors most stressed in the pathogenesis of childhood metabolic syndrome are obesity and insulin resistance (IR). The details of the metabolic processes behind this development need still to be elucidated. This paper reviews the definition, recent diagnostic criteria, incidence and pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.