Abstract
BackgroundSerum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) in population-based Japanese schoolchildren.MethodsThe subjects comprised all fourth graders and seventh graders in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, during 2002-2009. Information about each subject’s age, sex, and family history of hypercholesterolemia was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The body height, weight, and LDL-C were measured for each child. LDL-C was measured using the direct method. According to the LDL-C criteria of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society, LDL-C level was categorized into three subgroups: acceptable, < 110 mg/dL; borderline, 110-139 mg/dL; and high, ≥ 140 mg/dL. Children with either borderline or high LDL-C level were considered to have high-normal LDL-C (HLDL-C).ResultsData from a total of 5869 subjects were analyzed. A higher BMI category was associated with a higher prevalence of HLDL-C regardless of sex or grade level (P < 0.05). When compared with the <50th percentile BMI category, the odds ratio (OR) for HLDL-C was statistically significant in the 75th to 84th percentile category of fourth-grade boys (OR: 1.95, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.28-2.97), the 85th to 94th percentile of fourth-grade girls (2.52, 1.74-3.64), and the 85th to 94th percentile of seventh-grade boys (2.04, 1.31-3.20) and girls (1.90, 1.24-2.91).ConclusionA statistically significant association between LDL-C levels and BMI was observed in Japanese school children.
Highlights
Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease
The body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in boys than in girls regardless of grade
The proportion was significantly higher in girls than in boys regardless of grade
Summary
Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) in population-based Japanese schoolchildren. Some studies have reported that serum cholesterol levels have increased among Japanese children [1,2]. Previous studies have reported that childhood serum lipid levels and body mass index (BMI) are strongly correlated with those levels in middle age [3,4]. A higher BMI during childhood is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) [5]. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been reported to be one of the most important risk factors of CHD [6,7]. LDL-C levels have not been measured often among Japanese children at the population level [9,10]
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