Clinical Nutrition Therapy of Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the clustering of obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and is predictive for development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The high prevalence of MetS is a serious health problem, especially among obese adolescents. Because insulin resistance and obesity play a central role in MetS, treatment of MetS should be primarily focused on improving insulin sensitivity and weight reduction. Nutritional therapy of MetS aims to reduce the intakes of saturated fat and free fructose, and increasing the intakes of dietary fiber, unsaturated fat, and antioxidant nutrients may also be beneficial. (Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2011; 14: 350∼ 358)