Metabolic syndrome's risk factors and its association with nutritional status in schoolchildren

•Overweight and obesity are associated with metabolic syndrome's risk factors.•Overweight/obesity is associated with the concomitant presence of two risk factors.•Obesity is associated with the concomitant presence of three risk factors.•Avoiding overweight/obesity in children can reduce cardiometabolic risks.

The metabolic risk factors (RF) to the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been evidenced at early ages, including children. The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of RF to the diagnosis of MetS and its association with nutritional status of schoolchildren from 6 to 10 years old. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 505 students of municipal schools in Macae, Brazil, conducted from 2013 to 2014. The RF evaluated were: blood pressure (mm Hg), triglycerides (mmol/L), HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L) fasting glucose (mmol/L) and waist circumference (cm). At least one RF was present in 61% (n = 308) of the sample. By nutritional status, there was higher prevalence of RF in overweight/obese schoolchildren compared to those with normal weight, except in the concentration of HDL-c. The prevalence of one, two and three RF (MetS) were 34.7% (n = 175), 21.0% (n = 106) and 5.3% (n = 27), respectively. Two RF were more present in overweight (28.2% 95%CI 19.0; 39.0) and obese (41.5% 95%CI 31.4; 52.1) compared to normal weight children (13.5% 95%CI 9.9; 17.8). Three or more RF were more frequent among obese (25.5% 95%CI 17.0; 35.5) in relation to overweight (2.4% 95%CI 0.2; 8.2) and normal weight children (0.3% 95%CI 0; 1.7). The data indicate high prevalence of RF and its relationship with the magnitude of body weight excess. Therefore, the identification and early treatment of these RF might minimize the risk of MetS and related diseases.