Abstract
Obesity in children causes metabolic and structural changes in blood vessels which lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the risk factors for atherosclerosis in obese children studied in the One-Day Hospitalization Department of the Institute of Mother and Child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 75 children aged 6-12 years (36 boys, 39 girls) with aBMI>97th percentile. The control group consisted of 36 children aged 5-10 years (18 boys, 18 girls) with a BMI of 75-90. Analysis was conducted of family history regarding obesity, CVD, dyslipidemia. The children's examination consisted of: BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and insulin. Both groups had their IMT (left and right) examined with ultrasound. RESULTS: In the study group 82.6% of the obese children had a positive family history of obesity and 72% of CVD and dyslipidemia. Regarding the children from the control group, 34.2% had a family history of obesity and 36.8 of CVD and dyslipidemia. The mean waist circumference in the obese children was 72.7 cm, while in the control group it was 59.9 (<0.001). The mean levels of lipids were higher in obese children (<0.001). The insulin level was almost twice as high as in the control group (±8.47 SD; <0.003). The mean IMT in obese patients was 0.36 mm; ±0.059 SD (right side) and 0.37 mm; ±0.033 SD (left side), while in the control group it was 0.32 mm; ±0.087 SD (right side) and 0.32 mm, ±0.082 SD (left side). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. A positive correlation between waist circumference and insulin level was found (<0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and dyslipidemia are more common among children with familial obesity and CVD. Dyslipidemia is statistically more widespread among obese children. IMT is significantly higher in obese children compared with the control group, suggesting that changes in the structure of carotid atherosclerosis may occur in obese children in early childhood. This can be diagnosed using the noninvasive IMT method measured with ultrasound. Children with obesity, especially visceral, have higher levels of insulin, which may contribute to insulin resistance. Parents lack sufficient knowledge about the effects of childhood obesity and its effects on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. RESULTS: In the study group 82.6% of the obese children had a positive family history of obesity and 72% of CVD and dyslipidemia. Regarding the children from the control group, 34.2% had a family history of obesity and 36.8 of CVD and dyslipidemia. The mean waist circumference in the obese children was 72.7 cm, while in the control group it was 59.9 (<0.001). The mean levels of lipids were higher in obese children (<0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and dyslipidemia are more common among children with familial obesity and CVD. Dyslipidemia is statistically more widespread among obese children. IMT is significantly higher in obese children compared with the control group, suggesting that changes in the structure of carotid atherosclerosis may occur in obese children in early childhood. This can be diagnosed using the noninvasive IMT method measured with ultrasound. Children with obesity, especially visceral, have higher levels of insulin, which may contribute to insulin resistance. Parents lack sufficient knowledge about the effects of childhood obesity and its effects on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.