Effects of a Healthy Lifestyle Education on the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Children during a 13-Year Follow-up

Purpose: This study aimed to determine effects of community-based healthy lifestyle education on the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Tehranian children considering parental factors during a 13-year follow-up. Methods: This study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) on 1603 healthy children, aged 8–18 years, who had complete parental data. Parental factors including MetS, education, age, occupation, and smoking were considered to distinguish parental clusters which could potentially predispose children to MetS. Lifestyle interventions were aimed at achieving healthy dietary patterns and increasing physical activity. Cluster analysis and survival Cox model were used to determine potential low and high risk parental clusters and the effect of intervention on the hazard of MetS in children respectively. Results: In a model adjusted for children’s age and sex, the hazard of the MetS incidence was 36% higher in children from high-risk parental cluster than those from low-risk parental cluster (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.73). Moreover, the intervention group showed a 39% lower risk for MetS incidence (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.44–0.85) compared to controls, during the first 6 years after baseline assessment (short term), although the risk lowering effect of the intervention was not maintained long term. Conclusion: A healthy lifestyle education was successful in reducing the short-term risk of MetS in children. To identify ways of maintaining long-term results, further research is definitely warranted. Trial Registration: This study was funded by National Research Council and Planning and Management Organization and has been reviewed and approved by the Iranian registry of clinical trials (ISRCTN52588395).