Frequency of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors were investigated in obese children and adolescents in this study. Two hundred and eight children with a mean age of 9.9±2.5 years were enrolled in the study. WHO criteria were used in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Hypertrigliceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance were detected in 66 (31.7%), 30 (14.4%), 26 (12.5%), 7 (3.3%), 34 (16.3%) and 34 (16.3%) of the cases, respectively. The frequency of cardiovascular risk factors was not significantly different between the female and male obese children (p>0.05). Significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels were noted in prepubertal obese children when compared to pubertal obese children (7% and 0%, respectively). Of all the cases, insulin resistance was present in 43.7% (n=91). Metabolic syndrome was detected in 27.4% and 21.4% of male obese and female obese children, respectively. Metabolic syndrome was present in 22 (21.7%) and 30 (28%) of prepubertal obese cases and adolescent obese cases, respectively (p>0.05). Of all the cases, 25% (n=52) had metabolic syndrome. The frequency of metabolic syndrome did not show significant differences between female obese and male obese children, and prepubertal obese and pubertal obese cases (p>0.05). Of the cardiovascular risk factors in the present study, insulin resistance and hypertrigliceridemia were particularly more frequent in obese children and adolescents. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in obese children and adolescents. This situation is a great risk for our children who are the future of our country.

Keywords: Child, metabolic syndrome, obesity