Comparison of inflammation and oxidative stress levels by the severity of obesity in prepubertal children

Abstract

Background Children with severe obesity have a much more adverse cardiometabolic risk factor profiles at a younger age. Inflammation and oxidative stress associated with childhood obesity may be important in the development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and other comorbid conditions. Objective To compare levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by the severity of obesity in prepubertal children aged 6 to 10 years. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolic Syndrome Clinic, Sanglah Hospital, Bali, from August to December 2015. Subjects were categorized into three body mass index (BMI) groups, according to the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart: overweight (85 th -94.9 th percentile), obese (95 th -98.9 th percentile), or severely obese (≥ 99 th percentile). Plasma MDA and serum hsCRP were analyzed in blood specimens obtained at enrollment. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Mann-Whitney U test