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Body fat and circulating leukocytes in children.
F Zaldivar1, R G McMurray, D Nemet
1Pediatric Exercise Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|January 19, 2006
Summary
Overweight children have higher circulating immune cell counts, indicating low-grade inflammation. This finding supports interventions to prevent and manage pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern in children.
- It is associated with various comorbidities, including chronic inflammation.
- Understanding the immunological impact of pediatric obesity is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between obesity and circulating immune cell levels in children.
- To determine if overweight children exhibit altered granulocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts.
- To explore correlations between body composition metrics and immune cell populations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study design was used, analyzing leukocytes in normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) children.
- Participants included 38 children (ages 6-18), with 15 NW and 23 OW based on BMI percentiles.
- Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (DEXA), and complete blood counts (CBC) with flow cytometry were assessed.
Main Results:
- Overweight children showed significantly higher total leukocyte counts, neutrophils, monocytes, and T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4+).
- Leukocyte counts positively correlated with BMI percentile, BMI, and percent body fat.
- No significant relationships were found between lean body mass or VO2peak and leukocyte levels.
Conclusions:
- Overweight children exhibit elevated circulating immune cell counts, suggesting low-grade systemic inflammation.
- This inflammation is a potential mechanism for obesity-related long-term health complications.
- The findings underscore the importance of preventing and correcting pediatric obesity.