[Insulin resistance and components of metabolic syndrome, analysis by gender and stage of adolescence].

Objective: To analyze the influence of metabolic syndrome components in insulin resistance, by gender and adolescence phase.

Subjects and methods: We evaluated biochemical, clinical, lifestyle and body composition data of 800 adolescents from 10 to 19 years old, from both genders, from Viçosa, MG/Brasil, and there was the division by stage: early (10 to 13 years), intermediate (14 to 16 years) and late (17 to 19 years).

Results: 10.3 and 3.4% had, respectively, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. In the initial phase there was a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia and intermediate hyperuricemia and excess body fat. Females had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, excess body fat and insulin resistance and higher male prevalence of low HDL, hyperuricemia and blood pressure changes. Those from the initial phase had higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose and waist/hip ratio, stayed less time sitting and had more meals (p < 0.05) in relation to other phases. The final model, adjusted for gender, was different for each phase of adolescence.

Conclusions: Insulin resistance is associated with inadequate body composition, in biochemical levels and lifestyle, being the factors associated different in each phase of adolescence.