In adolescents, metabolic syndrome can cause learning problems and even neurological disorders, report researchers from New York University, the conclusions of which appear in the journal Pediatrics.
Along with obesity in the United States, the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with metabolic syndrome has increased, i.e. the presence of at least three of the following factors: abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
The author of the study, Dr. Antonio Convit from NYU School of Medicine, observed a correlation between the metabolic syndrome and the risk of neurological disorders in adults in previous research. Current research has shown that in the case of adolescents, the problem is even more worrying.
Researchers compared a group of 49 adolescents with metabolic syndrome with a group of 62 peers who did not have this problem, although in 40 percent. you have been overweight or obese.
The studies took into account factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, school performance, ethnicity, diet and access to medical care.
A number of tests, including MRI, showed that the metabolic syndrome was associated with significantly lower mathematical and spelling test scores, as well as lower levels of concentration and less flexibility of thinking.
The differences were also visible in the structure of the brain itself – for adolescents with metabolic syndrome, a smaller size of the hippocampus responsible for memory and learning was characteristic, as well as an increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid and a decrease in white matter integrity.
Until now, very little has been known about what goes on in the brains of young people who have obesity and the metabolic syndrome but have not yet developed diabetes, says Convit. These results indicate that children with metabolic syndrome do not cope well with the things that have a direct impact on school performance and later career success.
About a third of obese children have elevated cholesterol levels, and more than 40% have high cholesterol levels. you have insulin resistance. Only now are pediatricians becoming more aware, although many of them do not even test blood pressure, let alone cholesterol or insulin resistance, the researcher adds.
Changes in the brain can take place several years after the onset of problems with the metabolic syndrome. During the next observations, the researchers intend to check whether losing unnecessary kilograms can help the brain get back in shape (PAP).
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