Background:

metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been diagnosed in adolescents. However, it remains uncertain which determinants of lifestyle are independently associated with its occurrence.

Objective:

to verify the association between lifestyle determinants (physical activity, sedentary behavior and food consumption) and MetS, by controlling demographic indicators and anthropometric nutritional status in a sample of adolescents from the southern region of Brazil.

Subjects and methods:

a school-based cross-sectional study involving 1,035 adolescents (565 girls and 470 boys) aged 12 to 20 years. Anthropometric measurements were performed and a questionnaire was applied with structured questions. MetS was identified according to criteria proposed by the International Diabetes Federation. The data were treated using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression.

Results:

the overall prevalence of MetS was equivalent to 4.5% (95% CI: 3.8 to 5.4). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between MetS and age (OR = 1.34 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.80]) and economic class (OR = 1.35 [95% CI: 1.08 to 1.86]). Among the determinants of lifestyle, high recreational screen time (OR = 1.32 [95% CI: 1.07 to 1.94]) and low fruit/vegetable intake (OR = 1.23 [95% CI: 1.01 to 1.87]) were independently associated with MetS. Likewise, obesity (OR = 1.62 [95% CI: 1.28 to 2.47]) was significantly associated with the outcome.

Conclusion:

in view of the significant association with MetS, intervention strategies should be designed to reduce recreational screen time and encourage fruit/vegetable consumption, especially among older adolescents, with a high economic class and obesity status.

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