Abstract:
Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents is increasing in the wake of the obesity epidemic among children and adolescents. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adolescents in Ghana. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of predictors of metabolic syndrome in adolescents using cost effective noninvasive methods, and its associations with sociodemographic factors and physical activity.
Method: A cross sectional study of 302 adolescents in two (2) junior high schools in Ablekuma South, was conducted. Questionnaires on sociodemographics and physical activity were self-administered. The predictors of metabolic syndrome assessed were Blood pressure (BP) ≥ 90th centile, Body Mass Index (BMI) > Z score of 2, Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) ≥0.5. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Version 21). Categorical variables were reported as proportions, percentages and ratios and continuous variables presented as means with standard deviations. Tests of associations between the independent variables and outcome variable which is the composite of body mass index, waist to height ratio and blood pressure were performed. Statistical significance was set at P-value of <0.05.
Results: The study participants consisted of 140 males (46.40%) and 162 females. The mean age was 14.24 (±1.39) years with a range of 12 years to18 years. The predominant level of mothers’ education (47.7%) was secondary school. Most of the fathers (52.0%) had tertiary education. Approximately 70% of mothers were traders/businesswomen and 35% of fathers worked in non-health related fields. Thirteen percent of the parents had hypertension, diabetes or both. Of the total respondents, 8.9% had WHtR >0.5, BMI was > Z score of 2 in 5.6% and 9.3% had BP≥90th centile. The prevalence of predictors of metabolic syndrome was 1.7% amongst the participants. Conclusion Risk of metabolic syndrome does exist among adolescents in Ghana. Sociodemographic factors and physical activity were not significantly associated with the predictors of metabolic syndrome.
Keywords: Body Mass Index, Waist to Height ratio, Blood pressure, Metabolic Syndrome, Ghana
