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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for increased carotid intima- media thickness in obese children

Bülent Hacihamdioğlu1, Vedat Okutan, Yilmaz Yozgat

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Gülhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|May 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Obese children show increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of atherosclerosis. Waist circumference (WC) is the primary predictor of this IMT increase, highlighting abdominal obesity risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic with potential long-term cardiovascular consequences.
  • Early detection of atherosclerosis markers in obese children is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) serves as a sensitive indicator of preclinical atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese children.
  • To evaluate the association between IMT and various cardiovascular risk factors in this population.
  • To identify key predictors of increased IMT in obese children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 104 obese children and 30 healthy controls.
  • Assessment of anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference, skinfold thickness), blood pressure, and fasting metabolic profiles (glucose, insulin, lipids).
  • Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via ultrasonography. Insulin resistance was calculated using the HOMA index.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly higher carotid IMT compared to controls (0.49 vs. 0.40 mm, p < 0.001).
  • Increased IMT correlated positively with body fat percentage, BMI, age, height, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, triglycerides, insulin levels, and insulin resistance.
  • Waist circumference was the sole significant predictor of increased IMT in logistic regression analysis (beta: 0.589, p < 0.001).
  • Obese children with NAFLD had significantly greater IMT than those without NAFLD (0.54 vs. 0.48 mm, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Obese children have elevated carotid IMT, indicating early atherosclerotic changes.
  • Waist circumference is a critical determinant of atherosclerosis risk in obese children.
  • Abdominal obesity in children is strongly linked to increased risk for atherosclerosis and warrants targeted management.

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