Metabolic Syndrome in Girls
New results from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute (NHLBI) Growth and Health Study demonstrate
the development and prevalence of metabolic syndrome
among black and white girls, through a 10-year study
of over 2,000 girls beginning at ages 9 and 10. Height,
weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol,
and blood sugar measures were taken at intervals and
applied to the current definition of metabolic syndrome.
“Development of the Metabolic Syndrome
in Black and White Adolescent Girls: A Longitudinal
Assessment,” will be published in the
November issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Dr. Eva Obarzanek, an NHLBI research nutritionist is
available to comment on the study’s findings
that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased
significantly from only one case (0.2%) among girls
of each race at age 9 or 10, to 3 percent of black
girls and 2.3 percent of white girls by age 18 or
19. Increases in waist circumference were found to
be a leading contributor to development of the syndrome.
Dr. Obarzanek can also discuss NHLBI’s public
education efforts to reduce overweight and obesity
in childhood.
To schedule interviews, contact the NHLBI Communications
Office at 301-496-4236.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), the Federal Government’s primary agency
for biomedical and behavioral research. NIH is a component
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NHLBI press releases and fact sheets, including information
on metabolic syndrome, can be found online at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
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