1 out of 4 obese school-aged children suffers metabolic syndrome

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Public release date: 11-Jun-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/udg-ooo061108.php

Contact: Ángel Gil Hernández

agil@...

34-958-248-322

Universidad de Granada

1 out of 4 obese school-aged children suffers metabolic syndrome

This release is available in Spanish.

One out of every four obese school-aged children (6 to 12 years old)

develops an illness typically associated with adults that are nearly 40

years old, metabolic syndrome, due to one clear reason: child obesity.

It has been revealed in a study carried out by the department chair of

the Institute of Food Nutrition and Technology of the University of

Granada, Ángel Gil Hernández, who warns that this syndrome provokes

arterial hypertension in children, insulin resistance, and, in the long

term, type two diabetes, an illness associated with numerous

cardiovascular pathologies and whose treatment will mean an elevated

cost for the Spanish Health Service in the future.

According to the expert, child obesity affects nowadays 17% of Spanish

children, who suffer clinical consequences (hypertension) and

biochemical consequences (a high level of triglycerides in plasma)

because of it. The appearance of cardiovascular illnesses associated

with obesity and diabetes will mean a grave problem in only a few years,

postulates Gil Hernández.

A pandemic of the 21st century

The " ill-fated combination " of inadequate nutrient intake and a

sedentary lifestyle, or cases of physical inactivity, can be found among

the causes of child obesity ( " one of the pandemics of the 21st

century " ). " Contrary to what most parents believe " , affirms the

university chair, " physical exercise is the key to combat obesity, child

or adult: we could say that, along with the genetic predisposition, 70%

of our figures are owed to exercise and only the remaining 30%

correspond to diet " . Gil Hernández recalls a Spanish saying that asserts

that the secret of a good diet is " a little food and lots of foot " .

According to the estimations of the study group directed by the

University chair, if present day pattern continues, the cases of

type-two diabetes in child population will have quadrupled by 2020.

Ángel Gil Hernández is the UGR Professor with more articles published in

nutrition journals with a high-impact rate. Among other scientific

journals, his papers have been published in Clinical Science, British

Journal of Nutrition, and International Journal of Obesity.

###

Reference

Ángel Gil Hernández. Institute of Food

Nutrition and Technology of the University of Granada.

Phone numbers: +34 958248322 - +34 958246139.

E-mail: agil@...

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