The methods for defining childhood obesity and their relationship with obesity in children

SUMMARYYILMAZ D. The methods for defining childhood obesity and theirrelationship with obesity in children. Department of Pediatrics, Adnan MenderesUniversity Faculty of Medicine, Aydın, TurkeyOBJECTIVES: We investigated the obesity and its relationship with BMI, bodyantropometric measure, pubertal and gender in children, aged 6 to 16 years.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Body composition was assessed in 90 obese and88 nonobese children. Childhood obesity was defined a ≥95th percentile VK . SFT andwaist-arm-chest circumference were measured. Body fat composition were assed withBIA 101. Pubertal stages were investigated. Lipid profiles, thryoid functions, bloodglucose levels, blood pressure and leptin measurements were measured. Analyzed usingSPSS 11.5.RESULTS: Leptin was significantly higher in obese than in normal(11.72±8.72, 3.04±4.06 ng/ml, p<0.001), with differences by gender, its higher in girls(8.5±ng/ml) than boys (5.06±5.66 ng/ml, p=0.019)The BMI was significantly positively correlated with leptin levels (r=0.693), %FM and FM by BIA (r=0.682, r=0.914), all SFM (r=0.679 with r=0.897). Thereleationship between obesity and obesity history (p<0.001), having obese familymembers (p<0.001), pysical activity levels (p=0.019), leisure time pysical activity(p<0.001), favorite food (p<0.001), taking daily 3 glass sugar-sweetened carbonatedbeverages (p<0.001) was significiant difference.CONCLUSION: Leptin in obese girls and boys increased with fat mass by BIAand SFT. In obese children high leptin levels releated with their high body-fatpercentage, leptin resistance.We recommended BIA of defiening of children obesity,If we want to prevent and control childhood obesity, to prevent taking unheathsnack foods and drinking soft drinks, also we are recommending suitable pysicalactivity for per children.Key words: Antropometric measurements, BMI, BIA, children obesity, leptin