Honors Thesis Archive

Author	Kaitlyn Sherrock
Title	Analysis of Potential Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in a Pediatric Population Comparing Normal Weight and Overweight Subjects
Department	Biology
Advisor	Josephine Wilson
Year	2010
Honors	University Honors
Full Text	View Thesis (78 KB)
Abstract	Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine which of the following potential risk factors were significantly different between normal-weight and overweight children. Potential risk factors included: fasting blood glucose, blood glucose after consumption of food, the amount and type of food and beverage selected, blood pressure, height and weight (to calculate BMI), heart rate during inhalation and heart rate during exhalation, and fungiform papillae density. Those measures which showed significant differences between the normal-weight and overweight children should be included in the pediatric definition of metabolic syndrome in children. The results indicated that BMI, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure are important risk factors in metabolic syndrome. Future studies could include triglycerides, cholesterol, and physical fitness as potential risk factors. Furthermore, additional studies should be conducted on taste receptor density as well as food selection in relation to metabolic syndrome.