Determination of the risk for premature atherosclerosis in obese children

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity in primary school-aged children and to determinate the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and premature atherosclerosis in obese children in Elazig. Materials and Methods: This study carried out prospectively among 2765 students at 6., 7., and 8. classrooms in eighteen primary education . Venous blood samples was obtained for serum glucose, blood lipids, insulin, homocysteine, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels following 12 hours fasting. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness was made with B-mode Doppler USG in all groups. The body compositions of groups were determined with the leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Total 104 children (3,76 %) were diagnosed as overweight or obese among 2765 children. Overweight and obese children demonstrated higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values compared with the control group. The mean intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was found higher in overweight and obese children than control group. In the obese children, waist circumference was related to diastolic blood pressure (r=0.244, p=0.047), serum HDL cholesterol level (r= -0.367, p=0.002), high sensitivity CRP level (r=0.294, p=0.017), and fat mass (r=0.411, p=0.000). Intimamedia thickness of common carotid artery was related to body mass index (r=0.396, p=0.001), waist circumference (r=0.390, p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.266, p=0.030), serum glucose level (r=0.250, p=0.042) and high sensitivity CRP level (r=0.269, p=0.000). In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, Intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was correlated to waist circumference (p=0.045), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.031). Conclusion: The increasing of risk for premature atherosclerosis was found in obese children. Especially, the waist circumference measurement was highly correlated with cardiovascular risk factors. Key Words: Childhood, obesity, premature atherosclerosis