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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Determinants of early atherosclerosis in obese children and adolescents

Véronique Beauloye1, Francis Zech, Hiep Thi Mong Tran

  • 1Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. veronique.beauloye@pedi.ucl.ac.be

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|May 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to early atherosclerosis. Adiponectin levels, not traditional risk factors, were found to be an independent determinant of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease mortality.
  • Atherosclerosis development begins in childhood, closely associated with obesity.
  • Early identification of atherosclerosis markers in obese children is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify determinants of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese children.
  • To assess the relationship between IMT and various metabolic and inflammatory markers.
  • To evaluate adiponectin and resistin as potential predictors of early atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • 104 obese children underwent oral glucose tolerance tests and blood parameter analysis.
  • Measurements included fasting glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, adhesion molecules, lipids, adiponectin, and resistin.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by ultrasound; insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment index.

Main Results:

  • IMT correlated positively with relative BMI, systolic hypertension, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-R, and resistin.
  • IMT showed an inverse correlation with adiponectin levels.
  • Adiponectin levels independently predicted IMT after controlling for sex, Tanner stage, and relative BMI.

Conclusions:

  • Adiponectin may play a more significant role in early atherosclerosis in obese children than conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Inflammation markers and adhesion molecules were not associated with IMT in this obese pediatric population.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of adiponectin in pediatric atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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