title: Associations of Apolipoprotein A, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Fasting Plasma Insulin in Obese Children With and Without Family History of Cardiovascular Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The worldwide prevalence of childhood obesity has increased from 4.2% to 6.7% during the last two decades. Pediatric obesity is a major health problem, which is dramatically increasing in Greece. A variety of inflammatory variables have been also found to associate with cardiometabolic (CV) risk in obese children. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the effects of possible CV risk factors in obese and non-obese children with and without family history (FH) of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight (68) healthy children and adolescents aged 7 - 13 years participated in the study. Anthropometrical and biochemical indexes were obtained from all children as well as FH of CVD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were found statistically significantly higher in the obese group compared to the non-obese one. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were observed to be statistically significantly lower in the obese children compared to their normal peers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apolipoprotein A, hsCRP and FPI levels were significantly higher in the obese children with FH of CVD compared to the ones without FH of CVD. TC and SBP were found to be independently associated with obesity (odds ratio (OR): 1.965, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.935 - 2.97, P < 0.031 and OR: 1.045, 95% CI: 1.016 - 1.074, P < 0.002, respectively).
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Greece.
authors.forename: Zacharoula
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Karabouta
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Greece; Department of Natural Sciences & Public Health, Zayed University, AbuDhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papandreou
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Greece.
authors.forename: Areti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makedou
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Greece.
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rousso
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Greece.
authors.forename: Fani
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Athanassiadou
keywords: Cardiometabolic risk factors; Children; Greece; Obesity