Metabolic syndrome is a group of medical problems that may put kids and teens at risk for diabetes and heart disease as they get older. Kids and teens may have metabolic syndrome if they have at least 3 of the following:

• a large waistline
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar levels
• high triglycerides (the unhealthy kind of fat in blood)
• low HDL cholesterol (the healthy kind of fat in blood)

Many of these conditions are reversible, usually by weight loss or, in kids who are still growing, by slowing the rate of weight gain. By making healthy diet choices, getting plenty of exercise, and never smoking, your child can lower their risk of metabolic syndrome and the medical problems it can cause.

Make healthy choices a regular part of your family's routine. Here are some tips:

• Prepare meals at home when possible. Limit trips to restaurants and fast-food places.
• Eat together as a family as often as possible.
• Offer nutritious meals and snacks. Follow your health care provider's advice on the right portion sizes for your child.
• Teach your child to read food labels and limit sugar, salt, cholesterol (found in meat, eggs, whole milk, butter, and cheese), and saturated fats (found in meat, butter, shortening, lard, cheese, and whole milk).
• Teach your child to avoid trans fats (found in baked goods, fried foods, stick margarines, and shortening).
• Serve whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and some "healthy" fats, like those in olive oil and nuts.
• Don't give your child soda, sugary drinks, or juice.
• Help your child be active every day.
• Make family rules about screen time. Don't let screen time get in the way of being active, getting enough sleep, and connecting with family and friends.
• Help your child get enough sleep. Kids who get enough sleep are less likely to be overweight.
• Follow your health care provider's recommendations about:
  • whether your child needs to lose weight or just slow the rate of weight gain
  • talking to a dietitian
  • finding a weight loss program for your child
  • follow-up visits
• If your child or anyone else at home smokes, go to smokefree.gov or call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to get help quitting.

Your child:

• has signs of diabetes, such as being very thirsty, drinking a lot, and peeing a lot
• has trouble making healthy food choices and staying active

How do health care providers diagnose metabolic syndrome? They check:

• weight and waist size
• blood pressure
• blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides

If enough of these measurements and tests are abnormal, a child has metabolic syndrome.

What causes metabolic syndrome? Being overweight is the main reason that people get metabolic syndrome. Excess weight causes insulin resistance. This is when the chemical insulin can't do its usual job of helping glucose (fuel for the body) enter the body's cells. This causes high insulin and glucose levels in the body, which can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

What other treatments might kids and teens with metabolic syndrome need? If changes in diet and exercise don't help, kids may need other treatments like medicines for high blood pressure or high blood sugars. Health care providers might recommend weight loss surgery for some teens who are having trouble losing weight with lifestyle changes.

Why is it important to treat metabolic syndrome? Treating metabolic syndrome is important for your child's health today and in the future. If metabolic syndrome is not treated, kids can develop diabetes and, as adults, could be at risk for heart attack or stroke.

Now is the perfect time to help your child learn healthy eating and physical activity habits that can last a lifetime.