Although difficult to diagnose in children, there is a renewed interest in researching metabolic syndrome in children primarily because some researchers think that metabolic syndrome in children may be the origin of the condition in adulthood. Because metabolic syndrome in children is difficult to pinpoint, most of the focus on researching it has been directed at adults.  But the increased obesity rates in children seem to have scientists once again trying to establish the origin of metabolic syndrome as beginning in childhood.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase the chances of developing both diabetes and heart disease.  There is some minor disagreement in defining metabolic syndrome in adults, although there is a consensus that central obesity (as measured by waist circumference) is a key factor.  The World Health organization defines the criteria as the presence of one of the following:…