TEMPERAMENT AND METABOLIC SYNDROME PRECURSORS IN CHILDREN - A 3-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Background. Cross-sectional and predictive associations between temper ament and some essential parameters of the metabolic syndrome were exa mined in children. Methods. A 3-year follow-up study of 1,589 randomly selected, healthy, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-year-old children was used. So matic parameters studied were serum insulin, serum glucose, serum HDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and body-ma ss index. Temperament of the subjects was rated by their mothers using a questionnaire and a semantic differential. Results. Temperamental f actors were related cross-sectionally to, as well as predicted for, th e metabolic syndrome precursors over the 3-year period. Mental vitalit y and positive emotionality were likely to be related to a low somatic risk level, whereas hyperactivity, negative emotionality (e.g., aggre ssion and anger), responsivity to others, and cooperativeness were rel ated to a high level of somatic risk. These associations were more evi dent in boys than in girls. Conclusions. It was suggested that tempera ment might be of importance in the early development of the metabolic syndrome. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.