ESPE Abstracts

Background: Obesity is a worldwide pathological epidemic. Children and adolescents are a major concern in this trend.

Objective and hypotheses: To identify the dynamics of body composition in children with alimentary obesity in puberty.

Methods: 105 children with alimentary obesity with BMI over 30 kg/m² were examinated. Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist, and hip circumference (WC, CH)), BMI, biochemical parameters (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and P) were analyzed. Bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Depending on the stage of puberty two groups were identified: first group – with early puberty (2–3 Tanner stage) (boys/girls=28/36, age 13.4±0.9, and 12.6±0.4 years); and second group – with late puberty (4–5 Tanner stage) (boys/girls=21/15, age 16.4±0.5, and 14.2±0.8 years).

Results: An increase of BMI in puberty: in first group was 33.3±0.8 kg/m² in boys and 32.7±0.9 kg/m² in girls; 36.5±0.9 and 35.3±0.5 kg/m² respectively, in second group (P<0.05). Body weight was 89.5±3.9 kg for boys and 73.3±2.5 kg for girls in first group, 110.9±2.1 kg and 88.4±3.5 kg respectively, in second group (P<0.05). Levels of ionized calcium, 1.04±0.03 mmol/l and ionized magnesium 0.41±0.01 mmol/l in first group in boys were decreased, levels of phosphorus were within normal range 1.4±0.07 mmol/l. Indicators of BMD in first group were 1.22±0.03 ² in boys and 1.03±0.04 g/cm² in girls, 1.44±0.02 g/cm² and 0.86±0.15 g/cm² respectively, in second group (P<0.05). Age and sex differences in Z-scores were not observed (P<0.05). In the second group the percentage of fat decreased with increasing lean mass in boys; total fat mass, free fat increased in girls (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Calcium deficiency is common among obese children and adolescents. Low calcium levels in obese individuals may accelerate the development of metabolic syndrome.