Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Comparison of retinal vascular geometry in obese and non-obese children
Evelyn Li Min Tai1,2, Yee Cheng Kueh3, Wan-Hazabbah Wan Hitam1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to early microvascular changes, as obese children show abnormal retinal vascular geometry compared to non-obese peers. These findings suggest potential biomarkers for obesity risk stratification.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern, associated with adult cardiometabolic diseases.
- Microvascular dysfunction may originate in childhood, preceding overt disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare retinal vascular parameters between obese and non-obese children.
- To explore early indicators of microvascular changes in pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 166 Malaysian children (6-12 years old).
- Measurements included ocular examination, biometry, retinal photography, blood pressure, and body mass index.
- Retinal vascular parameters were analyzed using validated software and compared between obese and non-obese groups.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited significantly narrower retinal arteriolar caliber.
- Lower arteriovenous ratio was observed in obese children.
- Obese children showed higher venular fractal dimension and venular curvature tortuosity compared to non-obese children, after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Obese children present with abnormal retinal vascular geometry, indicating early microvascular abnormalities.
- These retinal changes suggest that microvascular dysfunction associated with obesity begins in childhood.
- Retinal vascular parameters may serve as potential biomarkers for risk stratification in pediatric obesity.
Purpose:
Childhood obesity is associated with adult cardiometabolic disease. We postulate that the underlying microvascular dysfunction begins in childhood. We thus aimed to compare retinal vascular parameters between obese and non-obese children.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study involving 166 children aged 6 to 12 years old in Malaysia. Ocular examination, biometry, retinal photography, blood pressure and body mass index measurement were performed. Participants were divided into two groups; obese and non-obese. Retinal vascular parameters were measured using validated software.
Results:
Mean age was 9.58 years. Approximately 51.2% were obese. Obese children had significantly narrower retinal arteriolar caliber (F(1,159) = 6.862, p = 0.010), lower arteriovenous ratio (F(1,159) = 17.412, p < 0.001), higher venular fractal dimension (F(1,159) = 4.313, p = 0.039) and higher venular curvature tortuosity (F(1,158) = 5.166, p = 0.024) than non-obese children, after adjustment for age, gender, blood pressure and axial length.
Conclusions:
Obese children have abnormal retinal vascular geometry. These findings suggest that childhood obesity is characterized by early microvascular abnormalities that precede development of overt disease. Further research is warranted to determine if these parameters represent viable biomarkers for risk stratification in obesity.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
02:57Coordination Number and Geometry
02:27Predicting Molecular Geometry