Distribution of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in School-Aged Children with Excess Body Weight in the Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine the distribution of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) in school-aged children with excess body weight (overweight and obese) in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates and identify the factors associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors between boys and girls. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey of children aged 6–17 years was conducted in Al Ain from 1 August 2019 to 31 December 2020. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between excess body weight and CMRF between the groups and reported odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). (3) Results: A total of 966 school-aged children (490 boys and 476 girls) participated in the study, and the mean age of the children was 11.8 ± 2.9 years. The proportions of overweight and obesity were 13.5% and 10.2% in boys and 11.1% and 10.3% in girls. Higher glucose of ≥100 mg/dl (26.4%), triglycerides of ≥150 mg/dl and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: ≥130 mg/dl (23.2%) were more prevalent in children with excess body weight. These children were at least two times more likely to have higher triglycerides levels, high total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dl) in girls (OR:2.06, 95% CI: 1.01–4.21) and low high-density lipoprotein (<35 mg/dl) in boys (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.12–4.31). (4) Conclusion: Excess body weight in school-aged children was associated with increased CMRF, particularly triglycerides.

Cross-Sectional Association Between Body Fat Composition and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Overweight/Obesity

“…The average of these three measurements was registered. 12 The body fat composition, and electrical impedance or BF% using the Tanita Body composition analyzer TBF-300. Tanita was used to determine body composition, including BF, body fat mass (BFM) (kg), fat-free mass (FFM), body muscle mass (BMM), and total body water (TBW).…”

“…Furthermore, this metabolic derangement is probably due to a family history of obesity, an unhealthy diet, and an inactive lifestyle. 12 …”

Distribution and Association of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Youth From Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates

“…The prevalence of obesity among adults is rapidly increasing in the developing world, including the Gulf region [ 5 ]. Moreover, cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) are more prevalent among children and youth who are overweight or obese than those with a healthy weight [ 6 , 7 ]. Previous studies have affirmed that the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood has increased, and biomarkers of adverse cardiovascular outcomes have already been found in childhood with obesity [ 8 ].…”

“…In our recently published study [ 7 ], we reported that the prevalence of CMRF in children, such as high levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose, was quite high in Emirati school-aged children with excess body weight. This may be because of the consumption of unhealthy food, a sedentary lifestyle, and family history.…”

“…Severe obesity increases carotid artery wall stiffness and is associated with endothelial dysfunction, an early marker of atherosclerosis, as early as in childhood [9][10][11]. Recent studies have also reported that excess body weight in adolescents has important implications for developing CVD and diabetes [7,12,13].…”