HHS HealthBeat (January 31, 2007)

Growing toward trouble

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Too much weight, out-of-balance cholesterol and blood sugar, and above-normal blood pressure – a menu of troubles known as metabolic syndrome – is a sign an adult could develop diabetes or heart disease. But a study indicates even youngsters could risk metabolic syndrome.

Penn State researcher Alison Ventura says girls with signs of metabolic syndrome at 13 had shown hints of trouble as young as five.

"Those girls with profiles indicating they are at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome had a greater change in their weight status and accelerated fat gain across ages five to 13." (10 seconds)

Ventura says parents need to watch their kids for excess or above-normal weight gain, and limit intakes of high-calorie food and drinks.

The study in the journal Pediatrics was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: February, 02 2007