Retrospective evaluation of the obese children who were admitted to Duzce University Medical School Hospital at 2012-2014

Behavioral and environmental factors are primarily responsible for the dramatic increase in obesity in the past 20 years. Calculating body mass index is the most widely accepted method of screening for obesity in children. Abnormal body mass index cut-offs in children are determined by age- and gender-specific percentiles. The dramatic increase in childhood obesity has led to a marked increase in the diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in children. Obesity is difficult to treat at all ages, and obese children tend to become obese adults. The mainstay of treatment is lifestyle modification to improve diet and increase physical activity. Pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery may be considered as an adjunct to lifestyle modification in morbidly obese adolescents. This retrospective study was conducted with 102 obese children and 58 control who have normal body mass index. In the study, all children was made a full physical examination. Chi-square test, T-test and Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison. For statistical significance p <0.05 was considered Obese children had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure than the control group. Diabetes parameters (fasting blood glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance values, HbA1c) levels were significantly higher in obese children than in control group. For cholesterol parameters; triglyceride levels were found to be significantly higher in obese children while HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in obese children. TSH and free T4 levels were significantly higher in obese children. Parameters of inflammation like white blood cell count and CRP levels were significantly higher in obese children. Other parameters including ALT and cortisol levels were significantly higher in obese children while MCV level and TIBC were significantly lower in obese children. Both of our study and other studies in the literature shows that obesity even in childhood, has many negative health effects. Struggles with obesity in early childhood will help to reduce morbidity and mortality in present and future life of the obese children. Keywords: Childhood, Obesity, Overweight child, Retrospective