[Lipid profile from low socioeconomic level preschool children. Valencia, Venezuela]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Context:

• Overweight and obesity are significant global public health concerns affecting both children and adults.
• This study focused on preschool children from low socio-economic backgrounds in Valencia, Venezuela, a region experiencing widespread poverty.
• 95% of the participating children lived in relative or critical poverty, highlighting extreme socio-economic challenges.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and assess lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk ratios in preschool children from low socio-economic strata.
• To determine the relationship between nutritional status, lipid parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors in this population.
• To identify specific lipid profile abnormalities and their prevalence among overweight children.

Summary:

• The study assessed 390 preschool children, finding 14.3% undernutrition and 20.8% overweight.
• While overall lipid profiles were within normal ranges, overweight children exhibited higher lipid values (except HDL-cholesterol) and concerning levels of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
• Notably, 100% of overweight children had low HDL-cholesterol (<45 mg/dL), and significant percentages exceeded recommended levels for LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.

Impact:

• The findings indicate that overweight and altered lipid profiles are prevalent in this vulnerable group, elevating their risk for obesity and chronic non-transmissible diseases.
• The study underscores the urgent need for targeted nutritional and educational interventions to mitigate these health risks.
• Early identification and management of overweight and dyslipidemia in children from disadvantaged backgrounds are essential for long-term health outcomes.