C-reactive protein and body mass index in children: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and body mass index (BMI) in children.


METHODS
With the use of data from 5305 children aged 6 to 18 years in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988 to 1994), a cross-sectional health survey, we examined whether CRP concentrations were elevated among overweight children.


RESULTS
Among children whose BMI was below the age- and sex-specific 15th percentile, 6.6% of boys and 10.7% of girls had an elevated CRP concentration (>2.1 mg/L) compared with 24.2% of boys and 31.9% of girls whose BMI was > or =95th percentile. After adjustment was done for age, sex, race or ethnicity, poverty income ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, white blood cell count, and history of chronic bronchitis, the adjusted odds of having an elevated CRP concentration were 2.20 (95% CI 1.30, 3.75) for children with a BMI of 85th to <95th percentile and 4.92 (95% CI 3.39, 7.15) for children with a BMI of > or =95th percentile compared with children who had a BMI of 15th to <85th percentile. The associations did not differ significantly by age, sex, or race or ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
In a large representative sample of US children, CRP concentration was significantly elevated among children with a BMI > or=85th percentile, thus confirming previous findings of this association in children and extending previous research in adults to children. Excess body weight may be associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation in children.
Ford
E S
ES
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
Galuska
D A
DA
Gillespie
C
C
Will
J C
JC
Giles
W H
WH
Dietz
W H
WH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein