Students' knowledge of metabolic syndrome after educational intervention.

Objective: To analyze the knowledge of children and adolescents about risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) before and after educational interventions.

Method: A quasi-experimental, comparative, prospective and intervention study conducted in 2015 and 2016 with 43 students in the city of Picos (state of Piauí-PI). Five health education meetings were held. For the knowledge analysis, was applied a questionnaire at three different moments.

Results: Participants' mean age was 12.6 years (± 2.1), of which 60.5% were female. The 'More than good' level of knowledge went from 20.9% to 55.8% after interventions. When evaluated late, students maintained a higher level of knowledge compared to before the interventions. Most said they were able to change their lifestyle after educational meetings.

Conclusion: The educational intervention promoted increase of knowledge and stimulated changes in attitudes related to risk factors associated with MS.