ESPE Abstracts

Background: Prevalence of childhood obesity (OB) represents a major public health concern, given the tracking of body weight from childhood to adult age and obesity-related morbidity.

Objective: To describe prevalence of overweight (OW) and OB in children at 8 years and investigate relationship with metabolic alterations (lipid profile and insulin resistance).

Methods: 485 pregnant mothers recruited between 2004-2007 and 409 children from a population-based cohort study. Research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee. We analysed BMI, waist circumference (WC) and body composition (by electrical bioimpedance) at 8 years. Prevalence of OW and OB was calculated according to IOTF criteria. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL, glycaemia and insulin were determined in children. Lipid ratios and HOMA index were calculated. A proatherogenic lipid profile was defined as having the three lipid ratios in the third tertile.

Results: 362 (170 girls) were studied when aged 8.33 years (0.36). Table 1 shows their anthropometric characteristic total and by sex. 31.5% children had OW or OB at 8 years. There is positive relation between BMI and HOMA at 8 years: normoweight 2.12; OW 2.78; OB 5.62. (P-trend <0.000). 45 children (17.9%) had a proatherogenic lipid profile. The risk of a proatherogenic lipid profile was increased 5.51-fold (95% CI 2.77–10.96) if they were OW/obese, 4.63-fold (95% CI 2.36–9.09) if the WC was higher P90 and 5.32-fold (95% CI 2.56–11.07) if fat percentage higher than 25%.

Conclusions: High prevalence of OW and OB at 8 years were found. There is positive correlation among weight status, central obesity or body fat and HOMA index or lipid profile. Being OW or obese in childhood may have an unfavourable cardio metabolic profile who need early intervention to promote healthier lifestyles and to prevent cardiovascular disease in adulthood.