[Influence of fat tissue distribution on metabolic complications in children and adolescents with simple obesity].
BACKGROUND
Increased prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents results in more common metabolic complications characteristic for adults, particularly those with abdominal obesity. The objective of the study was to determine the relation between the fat tissue distribution and metabolic complications and to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.


METHODS
We studied 64 children (42 girls and 22 boys) with simple obesity (BMI =97 pc) in the mean age 12.4+/-3.4 years. The fat tissue distribution was assessed on the basis of waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and skinfold thickness (suprailiac, subscapular, biceps and triceps). In all children plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides were estimated. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured in fasting state and during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Fasting insulin to glucose ratio (FIGR) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured in triplicate.


RESULTS
In 33 (51.6%) of children dyslipidemia, in 10 (15.6%) hyperinsulinemia or impaired glucose tolerance and in 12 (18%) hypertension was diagnosed. The Metabolic syndrome was present in 9 (14%) children. The anthropometric predictor for the risk of metabolic complications was a greater waist circumference, while greater hip circumference decreased the risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolic complications characteristic of metabolic syndrome, previously diagnosed exclusively in adults, may occur also in obese children and adolescents. As in adults, abdominal obesity is the most relevant risk factor of the metabolic syndrome.
Firek-Pedras
Małgorzata
M
Klinika Pediatrii, Endokrynologii i Diabetologii Dzieciecej Slaskiej AM w Katowicach, Katowice. gosiaf-p@wp.pl
Małecka-Tendera
Ewa
E
Klimek
Katarzyna
K
Zachurzok-Buczyńska
Agnieszka
A
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D050218:Body Fat Distribution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000209:etiology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D001786:Blood Glucose