Prevalence and Clustering of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Children and Adolescents in North-Central Nigeria

Background Cardiometabolic diseases have their origins early in life, yet data on the co-occurrence and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. Understanding age-related patterns of cardiometabolic risk clustering is essential for informing early prevention strategies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among children and adolescents aged 6–19 years who participated in community health outreach programmes in semi-urban communities of North-Central Nigeria between 2019 and 2023. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and random blood glucose were assessed using standardized protocols. Age- and sex-and height- appropriate definitions were applied for cardiometabolic risk factors. Cardiometabolic risk clustering was defined as the presence of two or more predefined risk factors. Prevalence estimates were described overall and by age group, and logistic regression was used to examine demographic factors associated with risk clustering. Results A total of 263 participants were included (95 aged 6 − 12 years and 168 aged 13 − 19 years). Overweight or obesity was present in 18.3% of participants, central obesity in 11.8%, elevated blood pressure in 58.2%, and dysglycaemia in 19.8%. Two or more cardiometabolic risk factors were observed in 26.6% of participants, occurring in 22.1% of children aged 6 − 12 years and 29.2% of adolescents aged 13 − 19 years. In regression analyses, adolescents had higher odds of cardiometabolic risk clustering than younger children, although this association was not statistically significant. Sex was not associated with risk clustering. Conclusions Cardiometabolic risk factors are common and frequently clustered among children and adolescents in North-Central Nigeria, with clustering evident from early childhood. These findings highlight the need for early, integrated, and population-based strategies for cardiometabolic disease prevention in paediatric populations.