Prevention of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood obesity

Childhood overweight and obesity are related to cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors (hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, abnormal lipid profiles and increased risk of adult obesity and high morbidity and mortality rates. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 78 overweight and obese children, hospitalized in a Pediatric Clinic from Saint Mary Hospital Iasi, 42 girls and 37 boys. The nutritional status was evaluating using BMI (body mass index) and BMI percentiles (overweight was defined as a BMI within the 85th to 95th percentile and obesity > 95th percentile). The cardiovascular risk parameters were defined by age and sex. Results: From the study group, 58% of children were obese (67% of boys and 50% of girls). Elevation of triglycerides was found in 28.2% of the patients and decreased HDL-cholesterol was present only in 2 patients. Medium and high cardiovascular risk was found in 14.1%, respectively 4% of children. Regression analysis of cholesterol showed a significant correlation with the values of systolic blood pressure. Among overweight children (37% of children), medium cardiovascular risk was found in 9% children. Conclusions: Identification and treatment of CVR factors in childhood is important in order to reduce or prevent premature cardiovascular diseases in adults.