Obesity Is Significantly Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in 2‐ to 9‐Year‐Olds

Abstract

The objective of this analysis was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in ethnically diverse 2-to-9 year olds. A retrospective medical chart review identified overweight/obese 2-to-9 year olds (N=147) from a local pediatric clinic who were matched (on age, sex and ethnicity) to normal weight subjects from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) (N=294). Comparisons of mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, total- and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were conducted. Results showed that compared to the population-based normal weight sample, the local overweight/obese sample were significantly more likely to have diastolic prehypertension (15% vs. 75%, P<0.0001), systolic prehypertension (10% vs. 43% P<0.0001), and the lowest quintile of HDL cholesterol (19% vs.34%, P=0.003). In summary, at this young age excess weight is significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. These results suggest that overweight/obese children in this age group should be monitored closely to prevent potential chronic disease risk.

Association of BMI and pediatric urologic postoperative events: Results from pediatric NSQIP

“…Regarding wound infection, the association between elevated BMI (>30kg/m 2 ) and infection in pediatric spine surgery has been shown [12]. Unfortunately, even in children, obesity is known to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors such a diastolic pre-hypertension, systolic pre-hypertension, and low high-density lipoprotein in 2–9 year olds [13], which is echoed in other large population-based cohorts [14]. …”

Cholesterol efflux alterations in adolescent obesity: role of adipose-derived extracellular vesical microRNAs

“…Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. Although primarily a disease of adults, youth with obesity show evidence of subclinical ASCVD [1–3] which places them at increased risk as adults for coronary heart disease [2] and stroke [4].…”

Contributions to Hypertension Public Policy and Clinical Practice: A Review of Recent Reports

“…62 A study of obese children aged 2 to 9 years, compared with normal-weight children, found higher SBPs, higher diastolic BPs, and a significantly higher prevalence of the lowest quintile of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 63 Despite the negative attitude of the USPSTF, these findings should also add to the consideration of careful lifestyle changes in such children even in the absence of randomized controlled clinical trial evidence. This difficult and controversial area will likely be a battleground for some time to come, because surely it is in children and young adults where there might be the greatest opportunity to favorably affect the lifelong trajectory of vascular disease.…”

“…One of the major factors in childhood hypertension is obesity, including in children younger than 10 years . A study of obese children aged 2 to 9 years, compared with normal‐weight children, found higher SBPs, higher diastolic BPs, and a significantly higher prevalence of the lowest quintile of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol . Despite the negative attitude of the USPSTF, these findings should also add to the consideration of careful lifestyle changes in such children even in the absence of randomized controlled clinical trial evidence.…”