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Metabolically healthy obesity in a paediatric obesity clinic

Diana Teixeira1, Cátia Martins2, Guiomar Oliveira1,3,4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University Clinic of Paediatrics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|August 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) children represent a significant subgroup, with nearly two-thirds of participants exhibiting this phenotype. High HDL and low systolic blood pressure (SBP) were identified as key predictors of MHO in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Health in Children
  • Metabolic Health Research

Background:

  • Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) children lack traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.
  • Characterizing this subgroup is crucial for understanding obesity-related health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of the MHO phenotype in a pediatric population.
  • To identify characteristics and predictors associated with MHO in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted in a pediatric obesity clinic.
  • Children were classified as MHO or metabolically unhealthy obese based on established criteria including HDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of the MHO phenotype was 61.8% among 241 participants (ages 2-17).
  • MHO children had significantly lower body mass index (Z-score) for ages 5+, lower triglyceride levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR.
  • Higher mean total cholesterol, driven by elevated HDL, was observed in the MHO group.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independent predictors of MHO.

Conclusions:

  • Nearly two-thirds of the studied children presented with a metabolically healthy obese phenotype.
  • Elevated HDL and reduced SBP were identified as the sole independent predictors for MHO in this cohort.
Abstract

Keywords:
HDLblood pressurecholesterolmetabolic syndromepediatric obesity

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