Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Changes in a Group of Obese Children

Abstract

IntroductionObesity-related comorbidities are present in young obese children, providing a platform for early adult cardiovascular disorders.ObjectivesTo compare and correlate markers of adiposity to metabolic disturbances, vascular and cardiac morphology in a European pediatric obese cohort.MethodsWe carried out an observational and transversal analysis in a cohort consisting of 121 obese children of both sexes, between the ages of 6 and 17 years. The control group consisted of 40 children with normal body mass index within the same age range. Markers of adiposity, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, common carotid artery intima-media thickness and left ventricular diameters were analyzed.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between the control and obese groups for the variables analyzed, all higher in the obese group, except for age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin, higher in the control group. In the obese group, body mass index was directly correlated to left ventricular mass (r=0.542; p=0.001), the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (r=0.378; p=<0.001) and mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness (r=0.378; p=<0.001). In that same group, insulin resistance was present in 38.1%, 12.5% had a combined dyslipidemic pattern, and eccentric hypertrophy was the most common left ventricular geometric pattern.ConclusionsThese results suggest that these markers may be used in clinical practice to stratify cardiovascular risk, as well as to assess the impact of weight control programs.

Evaluation of ophthalmic manifestations according to insulin resistance, lipid and pubertal status in obese and healthy children

“…Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of IR. IR is the state of reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin [4]. IR is more frequent in children with very high BMI [5].…”

“…It is estimated that approximately 42% of obese children have lipid abnormalities [4]. The most common lipid abnormality pattern consists of elevated triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and normal to mildly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [4].…”

“…Hyperlipidemia is another risk factor related to CO [4]. It is estimated that approximately 42% of obese children have lipid abnormalities [4].…”

“…Obesity is one of the most pressing challenges that humanity faces today [3]. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most concerning complications of childhood obesity (CO) [4]. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of IR.…”

“…It is estimated that approximately 42% of obese children have lipid abnormalities [4]. The most common lipid abnormality pattern consists of elevated triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and normal to mildly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [4]. Ophthalmological complications of hypertriglyceridaemia include eruptive, and other forms of xanthomata including xanthelasmata, corneal arcus, lipaemia retinalis, decrease in retinal blood flow, and lipid emboli affecting vision [8].…”