New results from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) growth and health study demonstrate the development and prevalence of metabolic syndrome among black and white girls, through a 10-year study of over 2,000 girls beginning at age 9. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar measures were taken at intervals and applied to the current definition of metabolic syndrome.

"Development of the Metabolic Syndrome in Black and White Adolescent
Girls: A Longitudinal Assessment," will be published in the November 1 issue of the journal "Paediatrics'"

Dr. Eva Obarzanek, an NHLBI research nutritionist, commented on the study's findings that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly from only one case among all girls at age 9, to 3 per cent of black girls and 2.3 percent of white girls by age 19. Increases in waist circumference were found to be a leading contributor to development of the syndrome. Dr. Obarzanek can also discuss NHLBI's public education efforts to reduce overweight and obesity in childhood, states a NIH release.

NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and behavioral research. NIH is a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services.