Even though metabolic syndrome (MS) is a more common problem in adults rather than children, it is also seen as an important problem in adolescence and childhood. Increasing prevalence of MS in childhood is parallel to the high prevalence of obesity in children. Insulin resistance is an essential underlying cause of MS and a considerable number of these patients have been threatened in terms of type 2 diabetes. Although diagnostic criteria of MS developed for adults are used for research about MS in childhood, there has recently been an effort to develop diagnostic criteria specific for children. In terms of preventive health care, children who have a family history of type 2 diabetes and/or MS, central obesity and acanthosis nigricans in their physical examination should be closely followed. If they have insulin resistance and high risk of type 2 diabetes they should be given early medical treatment. We suggest continuing education programs about evaluation of childhood obesity for pediatricians and general practitioners.

Keywords: Metabolik sendrom, insülin direnci, obesite, çocukluk çağı, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, obesity, childhood