Adolescents with low muscle mass at risk of developing metabolic syndrome

Researchers from Hallym University College of Medicine in South Korea examined whether low muscle mass in teens is associated with metabolic syndrome. The researchers published their findings in the journal Nutrition Research.

• For the study, the researchers observed 1,420 participants aged 12 to 19 years, who were part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2009 to 2011.
• Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• A participant was considered to have metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of the National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III criteria: abdominal obesity, high triglyceride level, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high levels of fasting glucose.
• The researchers found that adolescents with low muscle mass were at a significantly higher risk for metabolic syndrome compared to those without low muscle mass.

In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that having low muscle mass may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in teens.

Visit Science.news to learn more about the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Journal Reference:

Kim JH, Park YS. LOW MUSCLE MASS IS ASSOCIATED WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME IN KOREAN ADOLESCENTS: THE KOREA NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY 2009-2011. Nutrition Research. December 2016; 36(12): 1423-1428. DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2016.09.013