Metabolic syndrome unravelling or unravelled?

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a composite of risk factors for cardiovascular disease including dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and usually associated with obesity. Initially MS was considered a condition of adults but is now recognised as having a prevalence of approximately 3.3% in children. The clinical relevance of MS in children is currently unknown but the morbidity associated with childhood obesity is well-recognised. This review describes the epidemiology of childhood MS, the underlying risk factors, possible developmental mechanisms and gives an overview of the current management of obesity in children.