Comparisons in childhood obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors among urban Saudi Arab adolescents in 2008 and 2013.
We aimed to compare the prevalence of childhood obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors from two independent cohorts (2008 and 2013) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.



A total of 4549 adolescents aged 12-18 years [2454 boys, 2095 girls], taken from two independent cohorts, 5 years apart (2008 and 2013), were included. Anthropometrics were measured, and fasting blood samples were taken to ascertain glucose and lipid profile.



The overall prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in 2013 [15.3 (95% confidence interval 13.7-16.9)] than 2008 [12.6 (11.3-13.9)] (P = 0.012). Stratified by sex, the prevalence of obesity among boys was significantly higher in 2013 than 2008 [2008 = 12.0 (10.3-13.7) versus 2013 = 17.4 (15.1-19.7); P < 0.001]. The age groups 13 and 15 years had a significantly higher mean triglycerides in 2013 than 2008 (P-values 0.003 and <0.001, respectively) and lower mean HDL-cholesterol also in the 13 years old age group (P < 0.001).



The prevalence of childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia has increased in particular age groups (13-15 years) during a 5-year span. Special attention is warranted in these vulnerable age groups, particularly in boys, as cardiometabolic risk factors appear to worsen.
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Daghri
Specialized Diabetes and Endocrine Center, College of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Aljohani
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Attas
Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Faculty of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Saleh
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Alnaami
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Sabico
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Amer
Diabetes Centers and Units Administration, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Alharbi
Division of Metabolic and Vascular Health, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.
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Kumar
Biomarkers Research Program Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Alokail
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends
Arabs. cardiometabolic risk factors; adolescence; childhood obesity; gender; metabolic syndrome