Overweight and cardiovascular risk factors in 4- to 18-year-olds.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between overweight and high waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors in children.


METHODS
We carried out a secondary analysis of data from 1,944 participants of the 'National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4-18 years'. Blood pressure and blood lipid levels were compared in overweight versus non-overweight and high versus low waist circumference groups. Overweight was defined using international cut-offs for body mass index. High waist circumference was defined as >or= 91st percentile of UK waist circumference charts. Analyses were done separately by sex and age group (4-10 and 11-18 years for overweight, and 11-17 years for waist circumference).


RESULTS
Overweight and high waist circumference were associated with increased systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and triacylglycerol, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Those who were both overweight and had a high waist circumference had the highest blood pressure, plasma LDLC and triacylglycerol, and the lowest plasma HDLC.


CONCLUSIONS
Overweight and high waist circumference were associated with increased blood pressure and a less favourable lipid profile. Children who were both overweight and had a high waist circumference had the most unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile. Both measurements may be useful in identifying children with increased health risks.
Craig
Leone C A
LC
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Liberty Safe Work Research Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. l.craig@abdn.ac.uk
Love
Joan
J
Ratcliffe
Brian
B
McNeill
Geraldine
G
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides