Prevalence of Type II Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome among Overweight School Children in Khon Kaen, Thailand†
Ouyporn Panamonta MD*, Noparat Thamsiri MD*, Manat Panamonta MD*
Affiliation : † This manuscript was presented at The 5th Biennial Scientific Meeting of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES), Seoul, Korea, October 29-November 1, 2008 *Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Childhood obesity has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among children and adolescents worldwide.
Objective : To determine the prevalence of T2DM and MetS among overweight children and adolescents in
Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional, prospective pilot study was performed in school children between 10
and 15 years of age. The weight and height measurements and body mass index (BMI) calculations for 2,156
school children were analyzed. The BMI for the age and sex value at > 85th percentile was considered
overweight and the overweight children were evaluated for family history of diabetes, signs of insulin
resistance, plasma fasting glucose and lipid level.
Results : Five hundred and ninety four (27.6%) overweight children were identified, of whom 186 (31.3%)
participated in the present study. T2DM was documented in 4 (2.2%) while MetS was documented in 6 (3.2%)
children. At least one type of dyslipidemia was found in 87 (46.8%) children.
Conclusion : T2DM and MetS are common among overweight school children in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Preventive interventions to reduce overweight and consequently prevent T2DM in Thai children should be
provided at school and the community level.
Keywords : Overweight, Type 2 diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, Prevalence, School children
