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Published on: November 6, 2017
Body mass index and its effects on retinal vessel diameter in 6-year-old children
B Taylor1, E Rochtchina, J J Wang
1Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2145, Australia.
Insights
In children, higher body mass index (BMI) and weight correlate with wider retinal venules. Conversely, increased BMI and waist circumference are linked to narrower retinal arterioles, suggesting early microvascular changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Early detection of cardiovascular disease risk factors in children is crucial.
- Retinal microvasculature may reflect systemic vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric measures with retinal vessel diameter in 6-year-old children.
- To explore potential early indicators of cardiovascular risk in childhood.
Main Methods:
- A random cluster sample of 1740 children aged 6 years from Sydney participated in The Sydney Childhood Eye Study.
- Retinal images were analyzed for vessel diameter using computer imaging.
- Anthropometric measures (BMI, weight, waist circumference, BSA) and confounders were collected.
Main Results:
- Children with BMI above the cardiovascular risk threshold had significantly wider retinal venular diameters.
- Higher BMI, weight, and body surface area (BSA) were associated with wider retinal venules.
- Increased BMI and waist circumference were associated with narrower retinal arterioles.
Conclusions:
- Elevated BMI and adiposity in childhood are linked to alterations in retinal microvascular structure.
- These findings suggest that changes in retinal vessels may be an early sign of cardiovascular risk.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these early microvascular changes.
Purpose:
To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measures with retinal vessel diameter in children.
Methods:
A random cluster sample of 34 schools was selected in the Sydney metropolitan area during 2003-04, and 1740 children aged 6 years participated in The Sydney Childhood Eye Study. Retinal images were taken and vessel diameter was measured using a computer-imaging program. Anthropometric measures, including weight, height, waist circumference, BMI and body surface area (BSA), were obtained and defined using standardized protocols. Data on confounders, including ocular parameters, ethnicity, birth parameters and blood pressure, were similarly collected.
Results:
Mean BMI was 16.2 kg/m(2) (+/-2.1 s.d.) in 1608 (92.4%) children with complete data. After controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, axial length of the eyeball, birth weight and mean arterial blood pressure, children with BMI above the cardiovascular risk threshold (defined as BMI>16.1 kg/m(2) in boys and BMI>15.9 kg/m(2) in girls) had mean retinal venular diameter 2.1 microm larger than those with BMI below this threshold (P=0.026). Increasing weight and BSA were also positively associated with wider retinal venules. Children in the highest quartile of BMI had mean retinal arteriolar diameter 2.2 microm smaller than those in the lowest quartile. Increasing waist circumference and shorter height were also associated with narrower retinal arterioles.
Conclusions:
In this sample of 6-year-old children, greater BMI, weight and BSA were associated with wider retinal venules, while greater BMI and larger waist circumference were associated with narrower retinal arterioles. These findings suggest a possible effect of increased body mass and adiposity on early microvascular structural alterations in childhood, long before the development of cardiovascular disease.