Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - About one in 12 American children and adolescents has metabolic syndrome.
The condition is a combination of obesity, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high tryglycerides, and low levels of the good cholesterol called HDL.
A study in the journal “Pediatrics” looked at 110 teenagers. Those with metabolic syndrome showed significantly lower math and spelling scores and lower attention span and mental flexibility.
The areas of their brains involving learning and memory were also smaller.
The more metabolic syndrome symptoms the teens had, the greater the negative effects.
The study indicates that even a few years of metabolic syndrome may cause brain complications.
Its authors say they hope it will motivate families to change their lifestyles for the better.
