Related Experiment Videos
Apolipoproteins A-I and B in obese children
T Sveger1, C E Flodmark, G Fex
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
Obese children show altered apolipoprotein levels and correlations with fitness and birth weight. These findings highlight key biomarkers for assessing cardiovascular risk in pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Biomarkers of Obesity
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Obesity is associated with adverse metabolic profiles and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Understanding the relationship between obesity, fitness, and lipid metabolism in children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obesity, body fat distribution, and cardiovascular risk markers in 10- to 11-year-old children.
- To compare apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels, and the apo A-I:B ratio between obese children and healthy-weight controls.
- To examine correlations between various anthropometric, fitness, and biochemical parameters in obese children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 38 obese children with 52 age-matched controls.
- Measurements included body mass index (BMI), fat distribution (triceps skinfold thickness), birth weight, physical fitness, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), apo A-I, and apo B.
- Statistical analyses included correlation and multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited higher apo B concentrations and a lower apo A-I:B ratio compared to controls.
- Significant correlations were observed between apo A-I and physical fitness, triceps skinfold thickness, and birth weight.
- Physical fitness was positively correlated with triceps skinfold thickness, and the apo A-I:B ratio was negatively correlated with triceps skinfold thickness.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in children is linked to unfavorable changes in apolipoprotein profiles.
- Physical fitness and birth weight are significant factors associated with apo A-I levels in obese children.
- These findings suggest potential biomarkers for early identification of cardiovascular risk in pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
Body mass index (BMI), the distribution of fat, birth weight, physical fitness, apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and B, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were studied in 38 obese 10- to 11-year-olds in comparison to 52 age-matched controls. Obese children had higher concentration of apo B and a lower apo A-I:B ratio. Significant correlations were found between (a) apo A-I and physical fitness (r = 0.35, p less than 0.015), triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.44, p less than 0.01), and birth weight (r = -0.33, p less than 0.05); (b) physical fitness and triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.38, p less than 0.05), and (c) the apo A-I:B ratio and triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.31, p less than 0.05). When both obese and control children were grouped together, a correlation was found between BMI and TC (r = 0.24, p less than 0.05), apo B (r = 0.37, p less than 0.001), and the apo A-I:B ratio (r = -0.31, p less than 0.01). Multiple regression analyses indicated a significant positive contribution to the apo A-I level by HDLC and physical fitness and a negative one by birth weight.