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Low-grade systemic inflammation in overweight children
M Visser1, L M Bouter, G M McQuillan
1Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Overweight children aged 8-16 show increased markers of inflammation, specifically higher C-reactive protein and white blood cell counts. This suggests a link between excess weight and low-grade systemic inflammation in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Human adipose tissue releases proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6, potentially causing systemic inflammation in individuals with excess body fat.
- Previous research suggests a link between excess body fat and inflammation, but confounding factors like inflammation-related diseases need consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between overweight status and low-grade systemic inflammation in children.
- To determine if overweight children exhibit elevated markers of inflammation compared to normal-weight children, controlling for potential confounders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994, a representative sample of US children aged 8-16.
- Assessed systemic inflammation through serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and white blood cell (WBC) count.
- Defined overweight status using body mass index (BMI) and sum of three skinfolds exceeding the 85th percentile for gender and age.
Main Results:
- Overweight boys and girls were significantly more likely to have elevated CRP levels compared to their normal-weight peers.
- Odds ratios for elevated CRP were 3.74 for overweight boys and 3.17 for overweight girls (based on BMI).
- Overweight status was also associated with statistically significant higher white blood cell counts in children.
Conclusions:
- Overweight children aged 8 to 16 years exhibit higher concentrations of CRP and elevated WBC counts.
- These findings indicate a state of low-grade systemic inflammation in overweight children, highlighting potential health risks associated with pediatric obesity.
Objective:
Human adipose tissue expresses and releases the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, potentially inducing low-grade systemic inflammation in persons with excess body fat. To limit potential confounding by inflammation-related diseases and subclinical cardiovascular disease, we tested the hypothesis that overweight is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation in children.
Design And Setting:
The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994, a representative sample of the US population.
Participants:
A total of 3512 children 8 to 16 years of age.
Outcome Measures:
Elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration (CRP; >/=.22 mg/dL) and white blood cell count (10(9) cells/L).
Results:
Elevated CRP was present in 7.1% of the boys and 6.1% of the girls. Overweight children (defined as having a body mass index or a sum of 3 skinfolds (triceps, subscapula, and supra-iliac) above the gender-specific 85th percentile) were more likely to have elevated CRP than were their normal-weight counterparts. After adjustment for potential confounders, including smoking and health status, the odds ratio (OR) was 3.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66-8.43) for overweight boys and the OR was 3.17 (95% CI: 1.60-6.28) for overweight girls, based on the body mass index. Based on the sum of 3 skinfolds, these ORs were 5.11 (95% CI: 2.36-11.06) and 2.89 (95% CI: 1.49-5.59) for boys and girls, respectively. Overweight was also associated with statistically significant higher white blood cell counts. The results were similar when restricted to healthy, nonsmoking, nonestrogen-using children.
Conclusions:
In children 8 to 16 years of age, overweight is associated with higher CRP concentrations and higher white blood cell counts. These findings suggest a state of low-grade systemic inflammation in overweight children. inflammation, obesity, children.