P1060 ANTHROPOMETRIC PROFILE AND METABOLIC OR CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS DISTRIBUTION IN A POPULATION OF AFRO-CARIBBEAN OBESE CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is associated with metabolic or cardiovascular risk factors and obese children are at increased risk of becoming obese adults with a major risk of metabolic or cardiovascular disease. Prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide, but there is still no local data about its morbidity in children. This study evaluated anthropometric profile of children with risk factors. Methods: From july to december 2002, 107 obese children (63F/44M; 11 ± 0.2 yr; 30 ± 0.5 kg/m2) were consecutively recruited in a local outpatient training program. Following parameters were assessed on admission: anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, presence of acanthosis, hepatic steatosis on ultrasonography, fasting serum glucose and lipid variables (triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol). Hypertension and dyslipidemia were defined respectively as systolic or diastolic blood pressure and as lipid variable above 95th centile for age and sex. Results: Mean BMI-Z score and waist hip ratio were respectively 4 ± 0.10 and 0.85 ± 0.06. Risk factors recorded were hypertension (19.8%), dyslipidemia (25.2%), acanthosis (20.6%), and steatosis (4.7%). No dyslipidemia was found in obese children suffering of Blount disease or slipped capital femoral epiphysis (n = 12; 0 vs 15%; p = 0.02). Degree of obesity was significantly higher (BMI-Z score: 5 ± 1 vs 4 ± 1; p<0.05) in case of hypertension or acanthosis. Distribution of risk factors were independent of waist hip ratio or sex, but were related to age. The age related distribution of risk factors (table 1) divided the population into age groups. Children aged 6 to 10 years (n = 42) had lower mean onset (42 ± 2 vs 59 ± 3 months; p = 0.008) and higher degree of obesity (5 ± 0.1 vs 4 ± 0.1; p = 0.001) compare to those aged 11 to 18 years.Table 1: Influence of age on risk factors distributionConclusion: Metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors are related to age and degree of obesity. Inverse relationship between mean onset or degree of obesity and age suggest a new local pattern of children obesity, with earlier onset and higher severity. Further studies need to assess dyslipidemia in orthopedic complications.