Influence of persistent obesity in children on cardiovascular risk factors: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Abstract

The relationship between body fat indexes, lipid and lipoprotein levels, and blood pressure was studied in 2230 children, each examined during 1973, 1976, and 1978. The children were grouped with the use of seven percentile (P) intervals of triceps skinfold thickness that were specific for race, sex, and age; cardiovascular risk factor variables were assessed over time. Of the 238 children initially in the lowest P group (<15P), 44% remained there, and 65% had skinfold thicknesses below 30P on the three occasions. Of the 352 children in the highest P group ('85P), who were considered to be very obese, 39% remained at this level while 69% remained at 70P or greater. Of the 366 considered to be obese (.70, <85P), 38% remained at or above 70P. At baseline, children in the seven groups differed in weight, ponderosity (wt/ht3), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum triglyceride levels, and pre-,/-and ,B-lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Pairwise comparison of data from children in each of the six other groups with those from children in the middle range (.40, <60P) showed that the obese and very obese children had significantly higher systolic blood pressures (p < .05), while only those in the highest P group had significantly greater diastolic blood pressures (p < .05). These differences increased and diverged over time. Those in the obese and very obese groups showed a striking drop over time in a-lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increases in pre-3-lipoprotein cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure. Triglyceride levels decreased over time for the lowest and middle range groups but remained at higher levels in obese and very obese children. There was a strong tendency for tracking (remaining in the same P group over time) in lean, obese, and very obese children. Those who tracked showed definite differences in risk factor variables at the baseline level and over time when compared with the middle range group. Since consistent obesity in early life enhances cardiovascular risk, the measurement over time of skinfold thickness in children is a useful method to detect the potential for adult cardiovascular disease. Circulation 69, No. 5, 895-904, 1984. OBESITY is positively associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal lipid and lipoprotein levels in adults. ' Although it has been related to other risk factor variables-9 in children, there is little information on effects of persistent obesity in early life. Because obesity can begin in childhood, it is important to determine the level at which it begins to influence cardiovascular risk. Individuals who have been obese from childhood tDeceased.Vol. 69, No. 5, May 1984 are of particular interest in the study of the early natural history of obesity and its relationship to the development of cardiovascular disease. Although no precise definition of obesity in a general population of children has been established, the tendency for a child to maintain over time the same relative rank in a dis...

Association between stunting and overweight among 10–15-y-old children in the North West Province of South Africa: the THUSA BANA Study

“…However, obesity not only persists from infancy into adulthood, but has been associated with an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile in the first 20 y of age. 5,6 These studies suggest that childhood is a key period to identify those at risk of becoming obese adults. The development of obesity may start during the adolescent growth spurt period, which is one of the critical periods for the development of obesity identified by Dietz.…”

“…However, many studies of adolescents only report menarche. 5,8 Childhood nutritional stunting, usually an indicator of chronic malnutrition 9,10 and undernutrition, 1,11 has been suggested as a contributory factor to elevated rates of obesity (high weight-for-height) in developing countries. This association between stunting and adolescent and adult obesity has been investigated in several other studies.…”

Change in body mass index from adolescence to young adulthood and increased carotid intima-media thickness at 28 years of age: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults study

“…Reports from the Bogalusa Heart study showed positive associations between obesity in childhood and/or adolescence and cardiovascular risk factors at young adulthood. [23][24][25] In addition, recent reports showed that childhood obesity was positively related to cardiovascular mortality years hereafter. [26][27][28] However, information on the relationship between adolescent BMI and cardiovascular risk as estimated by measurement of common CIMT in young adulthood is limited, 29 let alone information concerning change in BMI over time and alterations in vascular architecture.…”

Prevalence and trends of obesity among school children in Taiwan—the Taipei Children Heart Study

“…10 ± 16 In fact, there is substantial evidence suggesting that obesity in childhood lays the metabolic groundwork for adult cardiovascular disease. 10,13 Also, many studies demonstrate that overweight children tend to become overweight adults. 17 ± 20 Overall, obesity in childhood appears to increase the risk of subsequent morbidity, whether or not obesity persists into adulthood.…”