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[Classic and emergent cardiovascular risk factors in schoolchildren in Asturias]
F Alvarez Caro1, J J Díaz Martín, I Riaño Galán
1Hospital Carmen y Severo Ochoa, Cangas del Narcea, Asturias, España. franciscoalvarez130@msn.com
Insights
Childhood obesity is rising, with obese children showing increased cardiovascular risk factors like high C-reactive protein. Obese children also consume poorer quality diets, highlighting a need for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk factors manifest early in childhood.
- Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, leptin, and adiponectin are critical indicators of cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren aged 6-12 years.
- To analyze the association between obesity and classic/inflammatory cardiovascular risk factors.
- To investigate dietary and lifestyle habits in relation to childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 459 schoolchildren (ages 6-12) in Avilés.
- Assessment of body measurements, blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome criteria.
- Collection of data on family income, diet (KIDMED), and physical activity (Self-report), alongside blood analysis (lipid profile, C-reactive protein, leptin, adiponectin).
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates of 31% overweight and 10.9% obesity were observed.
- Obese children exhibited higher BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and leptin levels, with lower HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A.
- No significant differences in physical or sedentary activity levels were found, but obese children consumed lower quality diets.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity and overweight prevalence are alarmingly high.
- Obesity in children is linked to established and inflammatory cardiovascular risk factors.
- Dietary quality, not physical activity levels, differentiated obese from non-obese children.
Introduction:
Classic cardiovascular risk factors are present in infancy. C-reactive protein, leptin and adiponectin are the most important inflammatory cardiovascular risk markers.
Patients And Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional study, including children aged 6-12 years old from two local primary schools in the city of Avilés. Body measurements were made to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured and the presence of metabolic syndrome was determined. Family income, dietary, and life-style habits were collected using the questionnaires GRAFFAR, KIDMED and Self-report instruments for measuring physical activity, respectively. Blood analysis included lipid profile, insulin resistance profile, liver profile, C-reactive protein, leptin and adiponectin.
Results:
A total of 459 schoolchildren were included of whom 31% were overweight and 10.9% were obese. Obese children were heavier with higher levels of body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, C- reactive protein, leptin, and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A than non-obese children. No differences were found in physical and sedentary activities, but obese children had a worse quality diet than non-obese children.
Conclusions:
Prevalence of obesity and overweight is reaching worrying levels in school age children. Obesity is associated with other classic and inflammatory cardiovascular risk factors. Obese children have a worse quality diet, although they do not do any less physical activities or any more sedentary than non-obese children.
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