Association between waist circumference and magnesium and uric acid in indigenous Argentinean children living at high altitude.
BACKGROUND
Studies in adults show that central obesity increases the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM).


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between waist circumference (WC) and non-traditional risk factors such as magnesium (Mg), phosphorus, and uric acid in indigenous children living at high altitudes.


METHODS
A total of 354 (166 M) indigenous school children, aged 9.6 + 2.3 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in November 2011. Central obesity was defined as WC &gt; 90th percentile according to age and sex. Low Mg and phosphorus levels were defined as serum Mg &lt;1.8 mg/dL and phosphorus &lt;2.4 mg/dL . Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid &gt; 7 mg/dL.


RESULTS
The prevalence of central obesity was 6.8% (24/354). None of the children had hyperuricemia or low P levels. HypoMg was identified in 21.7% (57/263). There was a significant association between WC (z-score) and Mg (r-015), uric acid (r0.28), phosphorus (r-0.30), HOMA-IR (r0.49), Triglycerides (r0.24), and HDL-C (r0.24). However, calcium, sodium, and potassium were not significantly associated with WC. As z-WC quartiles increased Mg and phosphorus levels significantly decreased, whereas uric acid levels increased. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that z-WC was associated significantly and directly with uric acid (B0.31), triglycerides (B0.004), and HOMA-IR (B0.35); and inversely with Mg (B-0.83) and phosphorus (B-0.25), adjusted for confounding variables (R2 0.34).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that central obesity was significantly and inversely associated with Mg and phosphorus and directly with uric acid in indigenous school children. Supplementation with Mg and/or phosphorus could prevent future cardiovascular disease. Prospective and randomized studies should be performed to confirm these findings.
Nutrition and Diabetes Department, Chemistry College, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Valeria
V
Hirschler
M
M
Esteban
C
C
González
C
C
Molinari
L
L
Castano