Plasma Lipid Values in Childhood Obesity

Abstract

SYNOPSIS A study was made on 129 obese children to assess the relation of fasting plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride with clinical features of obesity. Mean values for both plasma cholesterol (195 mg/dl) and triglyceride (77 mg/dl) did not differ from those found in non‐obese children. Greater than expected numbers of children however were found with raised values of either cholesterol or triglyceride. Three children were found to have familial Type II hyperlipoproteinaemia, and eighteen were found to have a fasting triglyceride of greater than 120 mg/dl. No correlation was found between plasma cholesterol values and clinical features of obesity, but significant correlation was found between plasma triglyceride values and degree and duration of obesity, particularly amongst those children whose obesity started after the first year of life.

A Coronary Risk-Factor Profile of 4 Year Olds.

“…Although there is a well recognised association between frank obesity and an increased blood pressure both in children (Court et a/., 1974) and adults (Kannel et a/., 1967) the relationship between blood pressure and degrees of fatness in the normal range is less clear, particularly for preschool children. Lauer et a/., (1976), in a group of older children, found overweight children overrepresented in the upper percentiles for blood pressure and significant correlations between systolic pressure and triceps skinfold thickness and weight were found in 8-year-olds (Stine et a/., 1975).…”

“…The lack of correlation between serum lipoproteins, and in particular triglyceride, and fatness at this age is of interest because of the known assoriation in adults (Albrink and Meigs, 1964;Hollister et a/., 1967) and in frankly obese children of 12 years or more (Court et a/., 1974). This may represent a threshold effect related to adipose size and subsequent insulin resistance (Olefsky, 1976).…”

Comparison of blood lipids, lipoproteins, anthropometric measures, and resting and exercise cardiovascular responses in children, 6–7 years old

“…Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, elevated blood lipids, and inadequate physical activity have been reported to be prevalent in children (9,10,14,15,25,29,36,37). Descriptive studies concerning blood lipid levels have received the most attention in the literature.…”