Insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in 3- to 5-year-old overweight or obese children.
OBJECTIVE
The increasing rate of overweight and obesity is alarming. The complications of overweight and obesity at a young age are largely unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese children aged 3-5 years.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 75 children (29 overweight, 46 obese). We performed anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis as an indicator of body composition. IR was determined by the updated Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR). Cardiovascular risk factors were defined by the presence of increased serum triglycerides, blood pressure, and HOMA2-IR and by a decreased serum HDL cholesterol.


RESULTS
An elevated HOMA2-IR was found in 7.7% of the children. HOMA2-IR was correlated with body mass index (r = 0.63), waist circumference (r = 0.62) and percentage body fat (r = 0.58) (all p < 0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors were present in 6.9% (triglycerides) to 74.3% (hypertension) of the children.


CONCLUSIONS
IR and cardiovascular risk factors are already evident in many 3- to 5-year-old overweight and obese children. IR is strongly related to body composition.
Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Gianni
G
Bocca
Eva C
EC
Ongering
Ronald P
RP
Stolk
Pieter J J
PJ
Sauer
D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D014280:Triglycerides