Objective: This study investigated the relation between salivary cortisol and the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) score in young girls.
Methods: Twenty-three girls (8.4 ± 0.9 years) had a fasting blood draw to measure high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, and triglyceride concentrations. Waist circumference and blood pressure were also measured. Saliva samples were collected three times (upon waking, 30 min post-waking, and in the evening) at home to measure cortisol levels. A continuous MetSyn score was created from blood pressure, waist circumference, HDL, triglyceride, and glucose values. Correlations examined the unadjusted associations between cortisol values, MetSyn score, and its related components. Regression analysis examined the relation between cortisol values, the MetSyn score, and its related components adjusting for breast development.
Results: The MetSyn score was not related with cortisol values; however, HDL was negatively related with 30-min post-waking, evening, and area under the curve cortisol levels. Triglycerides were positively related to the 30-min post-waking and area under the curve values. These relations existed after adjusting for breast development.
Conclusion: While the MetSyn score was not related, specific MetSyn components were related to salivary cortisol levels. Cortisol may be involved in the development of some MetSyn components.