title: Distribution of subcutaneous fat and the relationship with blood pressure in obese children and adolescents in Shandong, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between elevated blood pressure (BP) and childhood obesity has been documented in several studies. However, the association between BP and body fat distribution in obese children remains poorly understood. We examined the distribution of subcutaneous fat and its association with BP in obese children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this study were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey of school children. A total of 38,873 students (19,485 boys and 19,388 girls) aged 7-17 years participated in this study. Height, weight, BP, subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (SFT) of all subjects were measured. Obesity was defined by using body mass index (BMI) criteria recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China. A total of 3,579 obese children and adolescents (2,367 boys and 1,212 girls) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the obese children and adolescents had high subcutaneous fat. However, a small number of the obese individuals had a lower SFT levels. Obese children and adolescents with high SFT and central distribution had higher BP levels than those with low SFT and peripheral distribution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese children and adolescents assessed by BMI might not necessarily have a high SFT level. The BP level of obese individuals is associated with the level and distribution pattern of SFT. Additional measurement of SFT is better than BMI alone to help identify high BP risks.
authors: Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong University Institute of Preventive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Ying-xiu
authors: YX
authors: Zhang
authors: Shu-rong
authors: SR
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001794:Blood Pressure; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat
keywords: blood pressure; distribution; obese child and adolescent; skinfold thickness