Incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in obese children

• Main Authors: Lidija Rakočević, Velimir Rakočević
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research 2016-01-01
• Series: Acta Clinica Croatica
• Subjects: Metabolic syndrome X; Pediatric obesity; Risk factors; Prevalence
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/254362
• ISSN: 0353-9466; 1333-9451

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome factors in obese children by examining blood pressure, lipid status, disorders of glycoregulation, and parameters of insulin sensitivity and secretion. The survey was conducted as a cross sectional study. We analyzed the results of obese children aged 7 to 16 years visiting Clinical Centre of Montenegro during the 2011-2015 period. Out of 173 children with elevated body mass index, 119 (68.8%) children were overweight, while first-degree obesity was recorded in 50 (28.9%) and second-degree obesity in four (2.3%) children. High blood pressure was found in 35.2%, elevated cholesterol levels in 9.8% and elevated triglyceride levels in 8.09% of obese children. Oral glucose load testing revealed disturbing fasting glycemia in 4.76% and impaired glucose tolerance in 19.04% of obese children. High values of insulinemia two hours after glucose load were recorded in 35% of obese children. Study results showed the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, especially carbohydrates and fat, to be very high in our population of obese children. Th is imposes the need of changing current mode of assessing dietary habits during general medical examinations, as well as to start recording and monitoring overweight children and those with pronounced obesity.