Body composition indicators in the metabolic syndrome risk prediction in 6-10-year-old children

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to develop percentiles of body composition indicators and determine cutoff points to predict metabolic syndrome (MS) risk in 6-10-year-old children. This is a cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study with the participation of 1480 schoolchildren aged 6-10-year. Anthropometric assessment (body mass, height, and skinfolds) and blood pressure measurement were performed in schools. The body mass index (BMI), as well as the body fat percentage (%BF), lean body mass (LBM), fat body mass (FBM), were calculated according to standardized formulas for children. Blood collection to assess the lipid and glycemic profile was also performed at school, on pre-established days and times. The MS diagnosis was determined based on changes in triglycerides, HDL-c, blood glucose, waist circumference, and blood pressure. The LMS method was used to develop the percentiles, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to identify the accuracy of the indicators, and the sensitivity and specificity to determine the cutoff points. FBM and %BF had significantly higher values in girls, who also had lower values for %LM compared to boys (p<0.05). The indicators of body composition, BMI, FBM, and %BF were accurate in predicting the MS risk for both sex at all ages. The main indicators of body composition to predict the MS risk, in both sex, were BMI, FBM, and %BF. These findings suggest that simple anthropometric measurements, which can be performed in clinical practice, have the potential to direct non-pharmacological actions.