Body Fat In Children Research Articles

Body fatness over the life course and risk of serrated polyps and conventional adenomas.

Serrated polyps (SPs) and conventional adenomas represent 2 distinct groups of colorectal premalignancy. The influence of early life adiposity on risk of these precursors remains unclear. Within the Nurses' Health Study, the Nurses' Health Study 2, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we assessed body fatness during childhood using 9-level somatotype and obtained weight and body mass index (BMI) in adulthood. We used multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to examine the association of SPs and conventional adenomas with body fatness in early childhood (age 5), late childhood (age 10), early adulthood (age 18/21) and middle adulthood (baseline) and weight change during early-to-middle adulthood. During 18-20 years of follow-up, we documented 8,697 SPs and 10,219 conventional adenomas in 132,514 women; 2,403 SPs and 4,495 conventional adenomas in 29,207 men. We found a modest positive association of adiposity in early and late childhood with risk of SPs and conventional adenomas, with odds ratios ranging from 1.12 to 1.18 for comparison of extreme somatotypes groups. The associations were attenuated after adjusting for adulthood BMI but remained significant for conventional adenomas. No association with early life body fatness was found in men. Adulthood body fatness and weight change during early-to-middle adulthood showed positive relationships with SPs and conventional adenomas in both women and men, with stronger associations observed for SPs (pheterogeneity < 0.0001). Our findings indicated a potential role in development of colorectal cancer precursors of childhood body fatness in women, and early-to-middle adulthood weight gain and attained adiposity in both sexes.

Predictive anthropometric models of total and truncal body fat in Chilean children.

This study aimed to develop predictive anthropometric models for total and truncal body fat in Chilean children using the following anthropometric measurements: weight, height, skinfold thickness, and circumference. This cross-sectional study included 669 Chilean children (12.0 y ± 1.3) in Tanner stage IV from the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study. Anthropometric measurements and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were determined to calculate total and truncal body fat. Prediction models were fitted by linear regression analysis. The predictive equation for log total body fat (kg) was 0.449 + 0.049 (body mass index in kg/m2) + 0.018 (triceps skinfold in mm) + 0.012 (biceps skinfold in mm) + 0.019 (brachial circumference in cm) + 0.091 (sex: 1 = boy, 2 = girl) + 0.018 (age in y). The predictive equation for log truncal fat (kg) was -2.107 + 0.046 (waist circumference in cm) + 0.010 (subscapular skinfold in mm) + 0.259 (sex: 1 = boy, 2 = girl) + 0.006 (age in y). The test of concordance between the predictive equations of total and truncal body fat with gold standard was r = 0.85 and 0.91, respectively. In Chilean children, the high correlation between observed and predicted values enabled us to develop predictive equations for total and truncal body fat for children.

Is child weight status correctly reported to parents? Cross-sectional analysis of National Child Measurement Programme data using ethnic-specific BMI adjustments.

BackgroundBMI underestimates and overestimates body fat in children from South Asian and Black ethnic groups, respectively.MethodsWe used cross-sectional NCMP data (2015–17) for 38 270 children in three inner-London local authorities: City & Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets (41% South Asian, 18.8% Black): 20 439 4–5 year-olds (48.9% girls) and 17 831 10–11 year-olds (49.1% girls). We estimated the proportion of parents who would have received different information about their child’s weight status, and the area-level prevalence of obesity—defined as ≥98th centile—had ethnic-specific BMI adjustments been employed in the English National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).ResultsHad ethnic-specific adjustment been employed, 19.7% (3112/15 830) of parents of children from South Asian backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a heavier weight category, and 19.1% (1381/7217) of parents of children from Black backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a lighter weight category. Ethnic-specific adjustment increased obesity prevalence from 7.9% (95% CI: 7.6, 8.3) to 9.1% (8.7, 9.5) amongst 4–5 year-olds and from 17.5% (16.9, 18.1) to 18.8% (18.2, 19.4) amongst 10–11 year-olds.ConclusionsEthnic-specific adjustment in the NCMP would ensure equitable categorization of weight status, provide correct information to parents and support local service provision for families.

Tracking and association of body weight and body fat in elementary school children

Tracking and association of body weight and body fat in elementary school children

Status of nutrition and cardiovascular system in children from the south Moravian region of the Czech Republic: a pilot study.

Nutritional status, its assessment and its influence on numerous diseases is currently still being discussed. The aim of this study was to determine the current state of nutrition by various research methods in school children. Also, to verify the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) determination in school environment and to compare the nutritional status in two different types of school. We used a quantitative questionnaire method in 64 children from schools in the South Moravian Region. We have verified the weight and height measurement in the same group by sophisticated instruments. We have determined the basic parameters of the cardiovascular system (non-invasive continuously blood pressure recording; mutual spectral analysis for estimation of baroreflex sensitivity; applanation tonometry and cardiac polygraphy for arterial stiffness evaluation). The indicative questionnaire method encountered a problem with the weight of almost 40 % of the population approached - both obesity (14.3 %) and malnutrition (25.2 %). Cardiovascular parameters were in physiological range for the given age categories. We found increased values in BMI, % of body fat and heart rate in children from countryside type of school, respectively. We concluded that obesity/malnutrition are both common phenomena in the children population in the Czech Republic.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Body Mass Index in Defining Childhood Obesity: Analysis of Cross-Sectional Data from Ghanaian Children

Background: Screening methods for childhood obesity are based largely on the published body mass index (BMI) criteria. Nonetheless, their accuracy in African children is largely unknown. The diagnostic accuracies of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) BMI-based criteria in defining obesity using deuterium dilution as a criterion method in a sample of Ghanaian children are presented. Methods: Data on anthropometric indices and percent body fat were collected from 183 children aged 8–11 years. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated. The overall performance of the BMI criteria was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (AUC). Results: Overall sensitivity of WHO, CDC, and IOTF were 59.4% (40.6–76.3), 53.1% (34.7–70.9), and 46.9% (29.1–65.3) respectively. The overall specificity was high, ranging from 98.7% by WHO to 100.0% by IOTF. The AUC were 0.936 (0.865–1.000), 0.924 (0.852–0.995), and 0.945 (0.879–1.000) by the WHO, CDC, and IOTF criteria respectively for the overall sample. Prevalence of obesity by the WHO, CDC, IOTF, and deuterium oxide-derived percent body fat were 11.5%, 10.4%, 8.2%, and 17.5% respectively, with significant positive correlations between the BMI z-scores and percent body fat. Conclusions: The BMI-based criteria were largely specific but with moderate sensitivity in detecting excess body fat in Ghanaian children. To improve diagnostic accuracy, direct measurement of body fat and other health risk factors should be considered in addition to BMI.

Widespread vitamin D deficiency and its sex-specific association with adiposity in Chinese children and adolescents.

Vitamin D is involved in various physiologic and pathologic processes in the human body. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the association of adiposity indicators with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in Chinese children and adolescents. This was a population-based, nationwide, multicenter cross-sectional study involving 10 696 participants (51.2% boys) 6 to 18 y of age. Total body fat mass was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and measures of body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat mass percentage (FMP), and plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were obtained. The adjusted mean of 25(OH)D was 39.3 nmol/L for all participants, 40.7 nmol/L for boys, and 37.9 nmol/L for girls. Of the children, 30% had vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D <30 nmol/L) and 80% had vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D <50 nmol/L). The prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were higher in girls (31%, 83.4%, respectively) than in boys (22.8%, 78.7%, respectively). An L-shape relationship between age and 25(OH)D was observed in all children, with a threshold age of 14 y. Also, there was an inverted U-shaped association of BMI with 25(OH)D, and multivariable linear models shown FMI and FMP were inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentrations, particularly in boys (β=-0.86 and -0.83, respectively, all P < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency was widespread and its sex-specific association with an excess of body fat in Chinese children and adolescents. The findings indicate that targeted screening and treatment guidelines may be useful.

Correlates of body fat and waist circumference in children from São Caetano do Sul, Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to examine potential correlates of body fat (BF) and waist circumference (WC) in children. The sample included 328 children (169 boys) aged 9-11 years. BF (%) was measured using a bioelectrical impedance scale. WC measurements were made on exposed skin at the end of a normal expiration using a non-elastic anthropometric tape. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior were measured using accelerometers. Participants with complete individual, family and home, and school environmental data were included in the analysis. Children averaged 21.3% in boys and 25.8% in girls for BF and 68.0 cm in boys and 67.2 cm in girls for WC. There was higher BF among girls (p<0.001), but no significant sex differences with respect to WC. In boys, breakfast consumption, bad sleep quality, and MVPA were associated with BF. Among girls, the only variables associated with BF were breakfast consumption and bad sleep quantity. Bad sleep quality and MVPA were associated with WC in boys. Among girls, WC was associated with breakfast consumption and bad sleep quantity. We identified correlates of BF and WC in children; however, few correlates were common for both BF and WC, and for both boys and girls.

Child Body Fat and Body Mass Index: Which Determinants are Most Important?

The purpose of this study was to examine child and parent determinants of children's body fat percentage (BF%) along with their body mass index percentile (BMIp). Children's BF% and BMIp auger lifelong health risks when elevated, and one in five children are affected. Participants (N = 135) included 62% female children; 50.7% Caucasian, 31.7% Hispanic, and 8.5% African American. Children were aged 9-15 years (2% underweight, 47.9% normal weight, 19.7% overweight, and 24.6% obese). Parent BMI average was 30.67 (1.4% underweight, 20.4% normal weight, 23.9% overweight, 40% obese, and 7% extreme obesity); 77.5% of the participating parents were mothers. Following multiple imputations, path analyses were conducted of child and parent determinants of children's BF% and BMIp. Children's BF% and BMIp were related to parents' concern about overweight and children's perception of that concern. For children of overweight or obese parents, who are at highest risk for obesity, assessing the parents' concern is the highest priority.

1125 Body Fatness over the Life Course and the Risk of High-Risk Serrated Polyps and Advanced Conventional Adenomas

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer. Serrated polyp (SP) and conventional adenoma (CA) represent two distinct groups of colorectal premalignancy. In contrast to the well-documented effect of adulthood obesity, the influence of early-life body fatness on the risk of developing SPs and CAs remains unclear. METHODS: This prospective study within the Nurses’ Health Study (1990-2012), the Nurses’ Health Study 2 (1991-2013), and the Health Professional Follow-up Study (1990-2010) collected detailed information on body fatness at different ages and the diagnosis of SPs and CAs. We individually examined the risk of high-risk SPs (≥10 mm or proximal SPs) and advanced CAs (≥10 mm or advanced histology) in relation to body fatness in early childhood (age 5), late childhood (age 10), early adulthood (age 18 for women and 21 for men), middle adulthood (baseline) and weight change from early adulthood to middle adulthood. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression for clustered data was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 29221 men and 132546 women in the three cohorts who had undergone at least one lower bowel endoscopy during 18-20 years of follow-up, we documented 3119 cases of high-risk SP and 3299 cases of advanced CA. The ORs of high-risk SPs and advanced CAs ranged from 1.12 (95% CI, 1.02-1.23) to 1.25 (95% CI, 1.10-1.42) in women who were obese in early and late childhood. The associations were attenuated after adjusting for adulthood BMI. Body fatness in middle adulthood showed a strong positive relationship with the risk of both types of CRC precursor lesion in men and women. Weight change from early adulthood to middle adulthood was associated with greater risk of high-risk SPs in women (OR comparing weight gain ≥20.0 kg to gain or loss &lt; 2.0 kg, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.22-1.58) and men (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29), and advanced CAs in both women (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.82) and men (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.42). The associations were stronger for high-risk SPs than for advanced CAs in women (P heterogeneity = 0.01 for adulthood BMI, 0.004 for weight change). CONCLUSION: Weight gain during early adulthood and attained adiposity are associated with increased risk of high-risk SPs and advanced CAs in both men and women. There is heterogeneity in the associations among different types of colorectal precursor lesions in women but not in men. Body fatness in childhood is also associated with an increased risk in women.

Anthropometry, body fat and central adiposity in LBW and NBW Indian children aged 3.5 to 4 years

BackgroundIndia has a high prevalence of low birth weight. Evidence indicates that poor fetal growth and rapid postnatal weight gain are associated with adiposity. Objectives(i) To study the differences between the anthropometry, body fat measures of LBW and NBW children and (ii) To find out if there is any relationship between birth weight, change in weight SD and body fat measures of these children. Study designCross-sectional study. SubjectsWe studied 396 children aged between 3.5 and 4 years who were beneficiaries of government-run anganwadis in urban slums of Mumbai city, India. Outcome measuresBirth weight, current weight, height, skinfold thicknesses and waist circumference. Change in weight SD and body fat (%) were calculated. WHOAnthro was used to compute the z scores. Parent's education, income and breastfeeding history was recorded. ResultsThe mean change in weight SD of LBW and NBW groups were 1.01 ± 1.4 and −0.73 ± 1.13 respectively (p < 0.001). LBW children were lighter and shorter than NBW ones but had similar body fat (%) and central adiposity measures. In LBW and NBW children, birth weight Z score and change in weight SD were positively related to body fat (%) and waist circumference. ConclusionChildren in this study belonged to low socioeconomic section. Despite this, LBW displayed a tendency towards accumulating body fat particularly, abdominal fat for lower body weight. Birth weight and postnatal weight change predict body fat and waist circumference in LBW and NBW children.

Protocol for validating simple measures of body fatness and physical activity of children in twelve African countries: the ROUND-IT Africa study

Body fatness and physical activity (PA) among children should be measured accurately to address the pandemics of obesity and physical inactivity. Limited accurate PA data exist in the African region, and crude proxy measures of body composition (such as body mass index: BMI) and physical activity (such as questionnaires) may have limited most surveys and studies from the region. A stable isotope technique (deuterium dilution) and accelerometry provide ‘gold standards’ for validating measures of body fatness and PA, respectively. The consortium on “Reducing Obesity Using Nuclear Techniques to Design Interventions in Africa (ROUND-IT)” Study, therefore aimed to validate the accuracy of, 1) World Health Organisation’s (WHO) BMI-for-age as a means of assessing excessive body fatness; 2) the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) as a means of measuring PA, and 3) to describe accelerometer-measured PA in a large African multi-country sample of children 6 – 11 years of age (n=2050). ROUND-IT Africa is a cross-sectional multi-centre study conducted in 12 countries (Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and South Africa). Data collection began in April 2014 and was completed at the end of 2018. Height, body weight and waist circumference were measured using standard methods. Obesity was defined based on WHO’s BMI-for-age criteria. Body fatness was measured using total body water, and excess fatness determined using the criterion-referenced thresholds of >25% (boys) and >30% (girls). PA and sedentary behavior were assessed for 7 days in randomly assigned subsamples by accelerometry. The study was approved by local ethics committees in each participating country. Findings of the research, which will add to the existing body of scientific knowledge on African children, will be disseminated through journal publications, technical reports, conferences, and contacts with relevant non-governmental organisations, particularly the WHO.Keywords: Children, obesity, overweight, body composition, physical activity.

Pregnancy or cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D is not associated with measures of body fat or adiposity in children from three months to three years of age. An Odense Child Cohort study

The susceptibility to overweight in adults born during winter season may suggest foetal programming of prenatal vitamin D levels on adiposity. We investigated whether cord or pregnancy serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25OHD) was associated with infant and child body fat measures in a Danish population-based prospective cohort. In the Odense Child Cohort, 1905 singletons had cord s-25OHD and data on waist circumference (WC), weight, body mass index (BMI), and sum of skin folds (SSF) at median 3.7 months, 18.9 months and three years' age. Early and late pregnancy samples of s-25OHD (mean gestational age 12 and 29 weeks) were chosen as secondary exposures. Multiple linear and logistic regression as well as linear mixed models was applied testing the relation between cord and pregnancy s-25OHD and body fat outcomes and their Z-scores by use of updated national reference populations. Models were adjusted for maternal educational level, maternal ethnicity, pre-gestational BMI and season of birth, a priori stratified by sex. The median [IQR] cord s-25OHD was 45.5 [31.1; 60.9] nmol/L. Cord s-25OHD <50nmol/L was found in 57.5%; values<25nmol/L in 16.3%. The mean Z-scores of body fat measures at all ages were in the range of-0.32 to+0.42. No consistent associations were found between s-25OHD in cord, early pregnancy or late pregnancy and WC, weight, BMI, SSF, or their Z-scores at ages 3.7 months, 18.9 months, or 3 years. Neither did a computed composite outcome (WC, SSF, BMI, or weight >90th vs. ≤90 percentile) associate with cord or pregnancy s-25OHD. Cord or pregnancy s-25OHD was not associated with measures of body fat or adiposity in children up to three years of age. Our data suggested no programming effect of maternal s-25OHD on offspring obesity in a relatively lean and healthy population of mothers.

Transgenerational effects of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes on offspring body composition and left ventricle mass: the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL) 6‐year follow‐up

To investigate the influence of maternal adiposity and gestational diabetes on offspring body composition and left ventricle mass in early childhood. The observational follow-up study included 201 mother-child pairs, a sub-cohort from the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study, who were recruited 6.1 ± 0.5 (mean ± SD) years postpartum, aiming for an equal number of mothers with and without gestational diabetes. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (mean ± SD; 30.5 ± 5.6 kg/m2 ) was associated with child body fat percentage [0.26 (95% CI; 0.08, 0.44)% increase in child body fat per 1 kg/m2 increase in pre-pregnancy BMI of mothers with obesity] and was reflected in child BMI Z-score (mean ± SD; 0.45 ± 0.93). Left ventricle mass, left ventricle mass index and left ventricle mass Z-score were not associated with gestational diabetes, pre-pregnancy BMI or child body fat percentage. After adjusting for child sex, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, pre-pregnancy BMI and maternal lean body mass, left ventricle mass increased by 3.08 (95% CI; 2.25, 3.91) g for each 1 kg in child lean body mass. Left ventricle mass at 6 years of age is determined predominantly by lean body mass. Maternal pre-gestational adiposity is reflected in child, but no direct association between left ventricle mass and child adiposity or evidence of left ventricle mass foetal programming related to gestational diabetes and maternal adiposity was observed in early childhood.

What change in body mass index is associated with improvement in percentage body fat in childhood obesity? A meta-regression

ObjectiveUsing meta-regression this paper sets out the minimum change in body mass index-SD score (BMI-SDS) required to improve adiposity as percentage body fat for children and adolescents with obesity.DesignMeta-regression.SettingStudies were...

Maternal and child factors associated with child body fatness in a Ghanaian cohort.

We aimed to identify factors (child diet, physical activity; maternal BMI) associated with body composition of Ghanaian pre-school children. Longitudinal analysis of the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD-Ghana randomized trial, which enrolled 1320 pregnant women at ≤20 weeks' gestation and followed them and their infants until 6 and 18 months postpartum, respectively. At follow-up, child age 4-6 years, we collected data on body composition (by 2H dilution), physical activity and diet, extracted dietary patterns using factor analysis, and examined the association of children's percentage body fat with maternal and child factors by regression analysis. Eastern Region, Ghana. Children 4-6 years of age. The analysis included 889 children with percentage body fat and dietary data at follow-up. We identified two major dietary patterns, a snacking and a cooked foods pattern. Percentage body fat was positively associated (standardized β (se)) with maternal BMI at follow-up (0·10 (0·03); P = 0·003) and negatively associated with physical activity (-0·15 (0·05); P = 0·003, unadjusted for child gender), but not associated with the snacking (0·06 (0·03); P = 0·103) or cooked foods (-0·05 (0·07); P = 0·474) pattern. Boys were more active than girls (1470 v. 1314 mean vector magnitude counts/min; P < 0·0001) and had lower percentage body fat (13·8 v. 16·9 %; P < 0·0001). In this population, maternal overweight and child physical activity, especially among girls, may be key factors for addressing child overweight/obesity. We did not demonstrate a relationship between the dietary patterns and body fatness, which may be related to limitations of the dietary data available.

Development and validation of a prediction model for fat mass in children and adolescents: meta-analysis using individual participant data

ObjectivesTo develop and validate a prediction model for fat mass in children aged 4-15 years using routinely available risk factors of height, weight, and demographic information without the need for...

The longitudinal relationship between motor competence and measures of fatness and fitness from childhood into adolescence

ObjectivesTo examine longitudinal (seven years) relationships among cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak), body fatness, and motor competence. MethodData were collected as part of the Copenhagen School Child Intervention Study (CoSCIS). Body fatness was assessed by the sum of four skinfolds. VO2peak was measured directly in a continuous running protocol. Motor competence was assessed using the Körperkoordinationtest für Kinder. This study used multilevel linear mixed models to evaluate the reciprocal longitudinal association between body fatness, VO2peak, and motor competence. All regressions were stratified by sex and adjusted by intervention and pubertal status. All variable coefficients were standardized. ResultsA reciprocal relationship was observed between children's motor competence with body fatness and VO2peak at the seven‐year follow‐up (6–13 years of age). Children with higher motor competence at baseline had a lower risk of having higher body fatness (βboys=−0.45, 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.38; βgirls=−0.35, 95% CI: −0.42 to −0.28) and higher VO2peak (βboys=0.34, 95% CI: 0.27–0.40; βgirls=0.27, 95% CI: 0.20–0.33) during childhood. Alternatively, higher body fatness or lower levels of VO2peak at baseline were associated with lower motor competence during childhood. ConclusionsThese data suggest motor competence, body fatness, and VO2peak demonstrate reciprocal relationships across childhood (6–13 years of age). Interventions addressing motor competence, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body fatness in early childhood are recommended, as intervention effects are likely to be enhanced because of the mutual reciprocal associations between these three variables.

Total and regional body fat status among children and young people with cerebral palsy: A scoping review.

The purpose of our scoping review was to determine if children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP) have elevated total or regional body fat compared to children and young people without CP. Databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Ovid, CINHAL and Scopus) were systematically searched from 1 January 1993 to 7 December 2018 in order to identify articles that compared weight status, total body fat or regional body fat (eg, abdominal) between children and young people (0-21 years) with and without CP. Extracted data included country, subject characteristics, group sample sizes and matching strategies, methods/measures for weight status/fat depot, fat depot(s) assessed and key findings. Twenty-two studies were included. Of these, 19 studies examined total body fat; the most common method was use of anthropometrics and the more common measures were body mass index and skin-fold thickness. Twelve studies examined at least one regional fat depot; the most common method was use of anthropometrics and the most common measure was skin-fold thickness. Findings were inconsistent across studies. Further, among 10 studies that examined total and regional body fat depots, 8 found differences across fat depots within the same children and young people (eg, no difference in total body fat but higher abdominal fat). This review provides a summary of inconsistent findings from published studies on body fat comparisons between children and young people with vs without CP, highlights limitations for evaluating body fat for children with CP and discusses future research directions.

Association between body fat mass and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

BackgroundObesity is common among children and teenagers and is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in the adult age. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the association between the percentage of body fat and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia.Material and MethodsAbout 494 children and adolescents aged 10–20 years were studied. Laboratory tests were made for analyzing cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric measurements. Percentage body fat was determined with Slaughter equation. Lineal regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and the percentage body fat.ResultsPrevalence of percentage body fat (>26%) was 46.1%. Variables associated with percentage body fat were HOMA-IR – insulin resistance, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.ConclusionsIncrease in percentage body fat is significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents in Bucaramanga. Early identification and intervention of this population at risk is fundamental.