Low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in Turkish children: An important risk factor

In Turkish adults, the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been found to be high. However, no detailed lipid, or lipoprotein data of children are available from Turkey. The present study was designed to define the borderline lipid and lipoprotein levels of sera in 397 healthy children (aged5–14 years; 206 boys and 191 girls). Mean levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively) were found to be 150, 79, 46.7, and 87.6 mg/dL, respectively, for boys, and 152, 77.5, 46.3 and 90.5 mg/dL, respectively, for girls. Lipids and lipoproteins did not show any significant correlation with age and body mass index (BMI), except for TG in boys in whom TG levels were positively correlated with age and BMI. There were no significant differences in lipid and lipoprotein levels between boys and girls. As in the Turkish adult population, serum HDL-C levels of Turkish children were profoundly low on international comparison. Twenty-three (53%) of 43 children with low HDL-C level ( 35 mg/dL) had abnormal ratios of TC/HDL-C ( 5) and/or LDL-C/HDL-C ( 4.5), whereas only 13 (3.7%) of the remaining 354 children with a HDL-C level less than 35 mg/dL had abnormal ratios of TC/HDL-C (5) and/or LDL-C/HDL-C ( 4.5). The low levels of HDL-C in Turkish children may be associated with the high incidence of CAD in the Turkish adult population.     

Overweight, fat patterning, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in black and white boys.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationships of overweight and fat patterning with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in black and white boys. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of CVD risk factors by weight and central adiposity groups in black and white boys, aged 10 to 15 years. Mean adiposity, lipid, and blood pressure variables were compared between weight and central adiposity groups within race by using linear regression models. Observed clustering of risk factors within weight and adiposity groups was compared with the expected clustering under an assumption of no association. RESULTS: Within each racial group, overweight boys had greater skinfolds, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than non-overweight boys. Among overweight boys, greater central adiposity was associated with higher risk factor levels and increased clustering of risk factors. CONCLUSION: Overweight and central adiposity together profoundly affect CVD risk factor levels and risk factor clustering in black and white boys.     

Body fat ratios in urban Chinese children

OBJECTIVE: As obesity has been increasing in China, the present study examined the body composition of children to assess their fatness. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 532 healthy schoolchildren who lived in central Beijing were examined. Skinfold thicknesses, hip and waist circumferences, and body fat percentage were measured, as well as height and weight. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) >or= 95% for age and sex of Chinese children) was 27.7% in boys and 14.2% in girls (chi-squared; P = 0.0001). The percentages of body fat (BF%), waist/hip ratios and skinfold thicknesses ratios (subscapular/triceps) in overweight children were significantly higher than those in non-overweight children (Mann-Whitney U-test). The BF% of non-overweight boys was significantly higher than that of non-overweight girls. CONCLUSION: Urban Chinese overweight children have high BF% with adverse fat distribution. They may have high risk of atherogeniety. Boys in the non-overweight category may have higher fat accumulation than predicted by BMI. The establishment of an intervention program for childhood obesity is strongly recommended.     

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes and plasma lipids in diabetic children and adolescents

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of serum lipoprotein levels and coronary heart disease risk. ApoE appears in three major isoforms E2, E3 and E4, coded by corresponding alleles 2, 3 and 4. These give six different phenotypes. Patients with insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) have been reported to have increased incidence of E2/2 homozygosity. We studied the frequencies of apoE phenotypes and their association with plasma lipids in 201 diabetic children, aged 2–17 years, and in 216 healthy controls with the same age range. Phenotyping was performed directly from plasma by iso-electric focusing and immunoblotting. Plasma total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (C) and triglycerides were determined by routine laboratory methods. Apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and B (apoB) were measured by turbidometry. There were no differences in apoE phenotype or allele distributions between the diabetic and control subjects. The frequencies of 2, 3, and 4 in the diabetic and control children were 0.08 versus 0.07, 0.73 versus 0.72 and 0.19 versus 0.21. The difference in apoE2/2 frequencies (2.0 in diabetic and 0.5% in normal children) was not statistically significant. In the diabetic children, there was a distinct relation between apoE phenotype and plasma lipids; presence of apoE2 was associated with the lowest and that of apoE4 with the highest concentrations of total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) C, and apoB. Ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and apoA1/apoB showed on opposite trend. The influence of apoE polymorphism on plasma lipids was less clear in the controls. ApoE polymorphism did not relate to body mass index, glycohaemoglobin A1c or daily insulin dosage. As compared to controls, diabetic children had significantly lower concentrations of total and LDL-C and apoB as well as higher ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and apoA1/apoB. In conclusion, there was no difference in distribution of apoE phenotypes or alleles between diabetic and non-diabetic children. ApoE polymorphism proved to be an important genetic determinant of plasma lipid levels in patients with IDDM.     

Overweight, obesity, weight-related concerns and behaviours in Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents

Aim: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children and adolescents. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey of all Chinese students in primary schools in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong in March 2002. Thirty-one of 32 schools participated, and 5402 boys and 5371 girls aged 8 to 15 y who completed a standardized questionnaire were included. We used the International Obesity Task Force definition (IOTF reference) to define overweight and obesity. Results: The prevalence (95% CI) of overweight was 16.4% (15.7-17.1%) (19.9% in boys, 12.9% in girls), and that of obesity was 7.7% (7.2-8.2%) (10.3% in boys and 5.1% in girls). The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar to that based on the local reference. Overweight children had more concerns about their weight than obese children. They were more likely than obese children to feel fat, wish to be lighter, diet and exercise to lose weight. Although obese children were heavier, they did not make more effort to lose weight than overweight children.

Conclusions: The differences in weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children suggested good validity of the IOTF reference and the self-reported data. The differences between overweight and obese children suggested that the two groups had different psychological states and that they needed different weight management programmes and other intervention strategies.     

Macronutrient intake, physical activity, serum lipids and increased body weight in primary schoolchildren in Istanbul

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to record the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in primary school children living in Istanbul and to examine the relationship between increased body weight and certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. METHODS: A total of 510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years of age (257 boys, 253 girls) were examined. Information regarding anthropometrical indices, energy and macronutrient intake, physical activity, physical fitness and lipid profile were collected. Classification of children in overweight and obese subgroups was based on the cut-off points proposed by Cole et al. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was found to be 15.3%, 10.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Both overweight boys and girls were found to have lower physical fitness compared to their normal-weight counterparts, but no difference was observed for energy and macronutrient intake. Overweight boys were found to have higher total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight counterparts, while overweight girls were found to have lower HDL-C (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight peers. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and overweight coexisted in the current population. Increased body weight was accompanied by unfavorable lipid profiles and lower fitness levels. Consequently, there is an emergent need for early identification and understanding of behavioral and physiological variables related to obesity and CVD, so that appropriate interventions can be targeted to children who are at risk for adult onset of these diseases.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与原发性肾病综合征脂质代谢紊乱的关系

目的研究原发性肾病综合征(PNS)患儿载脂蛋白E(apoE)主要等位基因和基因型的分布规律,探讨apoE基因多态性与PNS脂质代谢紊乱的关系。方法检测PNS患儿46例和正常小儿39例血清总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、apoA1、apoB和apoA1/B,同时用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP)结合测序的方法确定apoE基因型,并根据平衡法计算出各等位基因频率。结果1.肾病组TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C、apoB、apoA1/B均明显高于对照组(P均<0.01);2.肾病组apoE2/2频率显著高于对照组(χ2=4.50 P<0.05);3.肾病组不同基因型和等位基因各项血脂指标均未见明显差异。结论PNS患儿存在明显脂质代谢紊乱,apoE2/2频率显著增高,apoE基因多态性对PNS患儿血脂水平未见明显影响。     

Study of overweight and obesity in a population of urban school children in Sousse, Tunisia]

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS: Epidemiological survey based on a representative sample of 1569 urban school children of Sousse, Tunisia. RESULTS: Overweight (BMI > or = 25) was significantly higher in girls (16.1%) than in boys (11.6%); (chi 2 = 8.2; p = 0.004). Obesity (BMI > or = 30) was slightly higher in girls (3.7%) than in boys (2.7%); (chi 2 = 0.89; p = 0.34). Girls had significantly higher BMI, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels than boys who had however significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure. Overweight was significantly higher in children who did not practice sport at school: 22 versus 13.1% (p < 0.002), in groups of youngsters who were not affiliated to school sport or city associations. Overweight children had a significantly higher levels of cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and means of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. CONCLUSION: These results will serve to set up a regional program of health promotion at schools.     

Effects of ketogenic diet on vascular function

BackgroundKetogenic diet is a well-established treatment in children with difficult to treat epilepsy. Very little is known about the long-term effects on vascular atherogenic and biochemical processes of this high-fat and low carbohydrate and protein diet.MethodsWe evaluated 26 children after one year and 13 children after two years of ketogenic diet. High resolution ultrasound-based assessment was used for carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid artery distensibility and carotid artery compliance. Blood lipids including high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A (apoA), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were analysed.ResultsA gradual decrease in carotid distensibility and an increase in LDL-C, apoB and the TC:LDL-C and LDL-C:HDL-C ratios were seen at three and 12 months of KD-treatment. These differences were not significant at 24 months. cIMT, BMI and hsCRP did not show any significant changes.ConclusionsThe initial alterations in lipids, apoB and arterial function observed within the first year of KD-treatment appear to be reversible and not significant after 24 months of treatment.     

Serum cholesterol levels in school-aged Japanese children: The Hisayama study

Hypercholesterolemia has been known to be an important factor in the development of atherosclelosis. Blood cholesterol screening and related health education in children, however, have not yet been widely practiced in Japan. From 1985 to 1990, blood samples were obtained from 5825 school children aged 6 to 14 years residing in Hisayama, Japan. The mean total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were determined. The mean TC levels ranged from 155 to 172 mg/dL for boys and from 156 to 170 mg/dL for girls, peaking at 9 years for both sexes. The TG levels also tended to increase gradually and to peak at 11 years for both sexes. The tendency for TG levels to be higher was much clearer than in US children and adolescents. The HDL-C levels were highest at 9 years of age for both sexes and the LDL-C levels also tended to peak at 9 years of age for boys and at 8 years of age for girls. Atherogenic Indices [(TC-HDL-C)/HDL-C] ranged from 1.7 to 1.9 for boys and 1.8 to 2.0 for girls. As the cholesterol level of Japanese children would be expected to rise steadily reflecting their westernized lifestyle, preventive programes on a nationwide base including health education at school environments should be emphasized.     

单纯性肥胖儿童外周血单核细胞载脂蛋白E基因的表达

目的　探讨单纯性肥胖儿童外周血单核细胞载脂蛋白E基因表达及其与血脂、脂蛋白、载脂蛋白的相关关系。方法　采用竞争性逆转录 聚合酶链式反应方法分析 3 2例单纯性肥胖儿童和 3 2例正常健康儿童外周血单核细胞的载脂蛋白E基因表达。结果　载脂蛋白E基因能在儿童外周血单核细胞表达 ,与健康儿童比较 ,单纯性肥胖儿童外周血单核细胞载脂蛋白E基因表达水平显著下调 (P <0 0 1) ,重度肥胖儿童尤其明显 ,载脂蛋白E基因表达水平与肥胖度呈负相关 (P <0 0 5)。肥胖儿童存在明显的血脂代谢紊乱 ,载脂蛋白E基因表达水平与低密度脂蛋白 胆固醇呈负相关 ,与血载脂蛋白E浓度呈正相关 (P <0 0 5) ,与血总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白 胆固醇、脂蛋白 (a)、载脂蛋白AⅠ水平无明显相关 (P >0 0 5)。结论　单纯性肥胖儿童外周血单核细胞载脂蛋白E基因表达水平明显下调 ,并与肥胖程度及血脂代谢异常相关联 ,提示载脂蛋白E基因表达变化可能与肥胖的发生发展及肥胖的心血管病变相关联     

Effects of overweight on lung function.

Spirometric data from 1586 healthy children, who did not smoke, were analysed to examine the effects of overweight as measured by the body mass index (weight/height2) on lung function. Overweight (72 boys, 88 girls) was defined as on or above the 90th percentile weight for height. After having controlled for the confounding variables of height and age, there were positive partial correlations between body mass index and lung function in girls whose weight was normal, in overweight girls, and in boys whose weight was normal, but not in overweight boys. In contrast to adults, body mass index has a positive effect on lung function in girls, whatever their weight. No such correlation between body mass index and lung function was seen in overweight boys. The observations may be accounted for by distinct sex dependent patterns of fat distribution in children.     

Influence of gender, BMI and Hispanic ethnicity on physical activity in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between overweight status and physical activity (PA) among gender and ethnic (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) sub-groups in elementary school-age children. METHODS: PA was assessed over five days using the Actigraph accelerometer in 169 fourth grade students (mean age 9.4 years; 50% female; 63% Hispanic; and 43% overweight, defined as body mass index, BMI > or = 85th percentile for age and gender) from four elementary schools in Los Angeles County, California. RESULTS: In the total sample, boys and normal weight students had higher levels of total PA (counts per minute, cpm; p<0.05). Boys spent less time in sedentary PA (p=0.02) and more time in combined moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, p=0.01). There was a significant gender, ethnicity, and overweight interaction for total PA and MVPA (both p<0.01). MVPA and counts per minute were significantly lower in overweight non-Hispanic girls and Hispanic boys (p<0.05) and marginally lower in overweight non-Hispanic boys (p=0.10) when compared with non-overweight students, while overweight Hispanic girls were more physically active than Hispanic non-overweight girls, though the difference was non-significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present study does not consistently support the prevailing hypothesis that overweight subjects engage in less PA. Results show overweight students engage in less PA than non-overweight students, with the exception that non-overweight Hispanic girls do not engage in more PA than their overweight peers. These results suggest the need for further investigation into the role that ethnicity and overweight status plays in PA levels, particularly among ethnic and gender sub-groups.     

Relationship between fat distribution and lipid and apolipoprotein profiles in young teenagers

The influence of obesity and fat distribution on serum levels of lipoprotein and apolipoprotein was investigated in 294 Japanese junior high school children (12-13 years of age). Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (P= 0.013), triglycerides (TG) (P= 0.0006), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (P= 0.003), and the apoB/A-I ratio (P= 0.005) were significantly higher and serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P= 0.00003) and apoA-1(P = 0.003) were significantly lower in obese boys than in non-obese boys. The serum levels of TG (P = 0.013) and the apoB/A-1 ratio (P= 0.011) were significantly higher and the serum levels of HDLC (P= 0.004) was significantly lower in obese girls than in non-obese girls. The LDLC/apoB ratio was lower in obese girls than in non-obese girls (P= 0.03). Obesity ( 20% of ideal weight) was strongly correlated with the serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins in boys; this relationship was less clear in girls. The degree of obesity and the body mass index (BMI) were more strongly correlated with serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins in boys than in girls. In boys, atherogenic-lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, such as LDLC and apoB, showed a stronger correlation with the thickness of the triceps skinfold, while in girls the anti-atherogenic lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, such as HDLC and apoA-1, showed a stronger correlation with both the triceps and the subscapular skinfold thicknesses. In girls the relationships between the BMI and the degree of obesity and the thickness of the subscapular skinfold (S) thickness were similar to the relationships between those parameters and the triceps skinfold (T) thickness. In boys, these parameters showed a stronger correlation with the subscapular skinfold thickness than with the triceps skinfold thickness. The correlation coefficients for the relationships between skinfold thickness and lipid and apolipoprotein levels were similar to the coefficients for the relationships between skinfold thicknesses and the severity of obesity and the BMI. The distribution of central-type fat accumulation, which is indicated by the thickness of the subscapular skinfold, the S/T ratio and S-T value, was inversely correlated with the HDLC level in both boys and girls. The degree of obesity was strongly correlated with the atherogenic lipoprotein profile in boys, in part because the subscapular skinfold thickness was strongly correlated with the degree of obesity and the BMI. In girls, the correlations between indices of central-type obesity and atherogenic lipid and apolipoprotein profiles were stronger than in boys. These data suggest that childhood obesity may be an early cardiovascular risk factor.     

Blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, body fat and physical activity of Singapore children

Objective: To determine body composition, coronary risk factors and physical activity and the inter-relationships of these variables in Singaporean school children.
Methodology: This study examined 1681 children (784 boys and 897 girls) from eight primary and seven secondary schools to determine percentiles for body stature and composition, blood pressure, lipids/lipoproteins and blood glucose by gender for three age divisions. An exercise and leisure pursuit questionnaire was administered to ascertain self-reported physical activity patterns. Anthropometric data and blood pressure readings were taken. Capillary blood was drawn from each child via finger prick sampling following an overnight fast. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TCHOL), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose (GLU) were determined from plasma using a dry chemistry analyser. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and the TCHOL/HDL-C ratio were determined by calculation.
Results: While 47.7% of boys and 22.0% of girls disclosed active lifestyles, differences between the active and non-active children were found in coronary risk factors TCHOL, LDL-C, TG, TCHOL/HDL-C and per cent body fat. No differences were shown between the two groups in HDL-C, GLU and blood pressure. There was a high correlation between the various measures of body composition with the highest correlation ( r =0.806, P < 0.001) found between body mass index (BMI) and waist measurements.
Conclusions: Children in this study who reported no activity or relatively little activity were found to have TCHOL, LDL-C, TG, TCHOL/HDL-C and per cent body fat that were higher than those who reported moderately high or vigorous physical activity patterns.     

Favorable Impacts of Growth Hormone (GH) Replacement Therapy on Atherogenic Risks in Japanese Children with GH Deficiency

Growth hormone (GH) affects body composition and atherogenic risk factors. Severe hyperlipidemia may develop in GH-deficient adults as a consequence of continuous GH deficiency. We investigated changes in lipid profiles in 158 Japanese children (103 boys and 55 girls) with GH deficiency who had been enrolled in the Pfizer International Growth Database Japan during 3 yr of GH replacement therapy to evaluate whether GH treatment has beneficial effects on atherogenic risk factors. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and atherogenic index were evaluated before treatment and then once a year during treatment. The mean baseline TC was within the normal range in both boys and girls. Seventeen (16.5%) of the 103 boys and 18 (32.7%) of the 55 girls, however, had a TC level over 200 mg/dl before treatment. The mean TC level showed a significant decrease in girls. In a separate analysis, patients of both sexes with a TC level > 200 mg/dl showed significantly decreased TC. LDLC decreased significantly only in girls, while HDLC showed no change in either sex. The atherogenic index decreased significantly in girls. GH replacement therapy in children with GH deficiency had beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and atherogenic risk in both sexes. Early GH treatment would produce lipid metabolism benefits in these patients.     

学龄前儿童颈围与体重指数的相关性

目的 探讨学龄前儿童颈围与体重指数的相关性及颈围对学龄前儿童超重/肥胖的诊断价值。方法 采用分层整群抽样的方法抽取乌鲁木齐市10所幼儿园3 719名7岁以下儿童,收集儿童一般资料并进行体格测量,采用Pearson相关分析法评估颈围与体重指数的相关性,采用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析颈围判断超重/肥胖的准确性,采用Kappa一致性检验评价颈围与体重指数判断超重/肥胖的一致性。结果 各年龄阶段的男童、女童颈围与体重指数均呈正相关(r≥0.50,均P<0.001)。以体重指数作为判断超重/肥胖的标准分为超重/肥胖组与非超重/肥胖组,各年龄阶段的超重/肥胖组颈围均大于非超重/肥胖组(P<0.001)。ROC曲线分析显示,男童和女童颈围判断超重/肥胖的曲线下面积均大于0.7。Kappa一致性检验显示,各年龄阶段男童、女童的颈围和体重指数判断超重/肥胖的Kappa值均大于0.40。结论 学龄前儿童颈围与体重指数呈正相关;颈围可较好地判断学龄前儿童超重/肥胖。[中国当代儿科杂志,2022,24 (9):1042-10...     

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目的通过最新一轮的北京地区儿童青少年血脂调查,建立新的正常参考值。方法于2004-09,随机选取7~18岁北京市中小学生共971人,均来自北京市区及郊区各县。根据年龄(每3岁为一年龄段)及性别分为8组(7~9岁男、女组;~12岁男、女组;~15岁男、女组;~18岁男、女组),应用日立7060型全自动生化分析仪检测其空腹血浆总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)浓度,分别取TC、LDL-C第75百分位及第90百分位点作为临界高限及高胆固醇血症浓度,取TG第90百分位点作为高甘油三酯血症浓度,取HDL-C第5百分位点作为低高密度脂蛋白浓度,建立北京地区儿童血脂参考值。结果971名儿童的血浆脂蛋白含量值呈正偏态分布,7~9岁男女性别组间血脂4项浓度;~12岁性别组间TG含量女高于男,余3项无统计学差异;~15岁性别组间TC及LDL-C含量女高于男,余2项无统计学差异;~18岁性别组间TC及HDL-C女高于男,余2项无统计学差异。结论通过对971名北京市中小学生的血脂调查,建立了北京地区不同年龄性别儿童青少年的血脂正常值,确立了临界高胆固醇和高胆固醇血症浓度、高甘油三酯血症浓度和低高密度脂蛋白浓度。     

Difference in dietary intake and activity level between normal-weight and overweight or obese adolescents

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an adolescent group representative of a rural Mediterranean area and to determine possible associations with energy and nutrient intakes and levels of physical exercise. METHODS: A representative sample of adolescents was drawn from the secondary school of Torre Pacheco (Murcia), a rural Mediterranean area located in the southeast of Spain. The population selected (331 adolescents aged 14-18 years), was divided into two groups: normal-weight subjects with a body mass index less than 23 kg/m2 and overweight or obese subjects with a body mass index of 23 kg/m2 or more. Weight, height, abdominal and hip perimeters, triceps skinfold, and upper arm circumference were measured. A prospective 7-consecutive-days food record and physical activity questionnaire were completed. RESULTS: Overweight boys and girls had an apparently lower energy intake (P = 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively), and carbohydrate intake (P = 0.000, P = 0.032) than their normal-weight counterparts, but they tended to underreport more often. Overweight boys derived a greater percentage of their energy from fat (P = 0.049) and less from carbohydrate (P = 0.016) than their normal-weight counterparts. Among girls, the percentage of energy derived from fat increased with body mass index (r = 0.210, P = 0.008), whereas fiber intake decreased (r = -0.145; P = 0.041). Overweight and obesity were negatively related to physical activity level only among boys (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adolescent population studied (48.2% in boys and 30.7% in girls). The study shows an association between overweight and obesity and nutrient intake and activity level.     

Relationship of body mass index with serum lipids in elementary school students

Objective  To determine the relationship of body mass index with serum lipids in elementary students. Methods  This prospective analytic study was conducted among 954 elementary school students (9–11years), selected by multi stage random systematic method from 6 cities and their rural areas from The South Khorasan province (eastern Iran) from September to December 2006. Height and weight was measured and Body mass index was calculated. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined. Results  954 students 9–11 years old were studied. 45.4% were boys. 76.5% were living in the city. 1.8% of students were obese and 3.4% were over weight. There was no significant relation between obesity and overweight with sex, age and the area of residence. There was significant relation between BMI with TC (P= 0.003), TG (P< 0.001) and LDL-C (P= 0.04). TG was significantly higher in obese and overweight students than in normal weight students (P< 0.001). TC (0.002) and LDL-C (0.01) were significantly higher in obese students than normal weight students. The prevalence of high TG was significantly higher in obese and overweight students than normal weight students (0.003). There was no significant difference between different kinds of dyslipidemia with area of residence. Conclusion  it is necessary to measure serum lipid profile in obese and overweight children.