Nutritional status and risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in population of preschool children aged 4 years

Abstract

Healthy nutrition in childhood is of major importance for maintenance of health in adults. Early detection of nutritional status impairments in children is directed toward prevention of chronic non-contageous diseases. Obesity in children is reported as the most important public health problem in pediatrics in developed countries. The aim of this study was to established the frequency of overweight and obesity, as well as blood pressure levels in population of 4-years aged children. This study enrolled 125 children aged 4 years. The survey was conducted during their regular systematic exams. Nutritional status was estimated from standard antrhropometric measurements. Data regarding nutritional habits, as well as physical activity were collected from parents, using questionnaire. 67,2% of children were normally nourished, 19,2% were overweight, 10,4% were obese, and 3.2% undernourished. Average values of body weight on birth were similar, regardless of nutritional status and gender, as well as actual BMIs o parents. Sedentary activities were the most frequent in overweight children of both gender, which is statistically significant when compared to normally nourished (2,61 ▫ 1,36 h vs 1,91 ▫ 0,98 h; p<0,05 for boys; 2,75 ▫ 0,96 h vs 1,89 ▫ 0,80 h; p<0,05 for girls). Significantly higher values of blood pressure were recorded in obese boys compared to normally nourished (systolic BP: 101,25 ▫ 6,41 mm Hg, vs 96,36 ▫ 4,86; p<0,05; dyastolic BP: 71,25 ▫ 6,41 mm Hg, vs 66,14 ▫ 4,81; p<0,05). Obese girls had significantly higher systolic BP compared to normally nourished: 103,33 ▫ 5,77 mm Hg, vs 97,03 ▫ 5,19; p<0,05. Obtained results indicate the relationship between obesity and higher blood pressure even in such young children, which is the major contribution of this study, considering the lack of investigations in similar populations, as well as the previously established fact that increased risk in childhood may predict the development of cardiovasculard diseases in adult life.