Demographic, Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Pediatric Obesity: Interim Analysis of a Larger Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric obesity is a common nutritional disorder that affects more than a third of the young population and predisposes individuals to greater future morbidity and mortality. Materials and methods: Sixty-two children were recruited in the study. Demographic and clinical information regarding the patients and their parents was collected. Data about the weight, height, systolic (SP) and diastolic (DP) blood pressure, lipid metabolic profile, thyroid hormone levels, glucose and insulin levels before and after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) of participants were also collected. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and patients were classified into groups according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Descriptive, comparative parametric, non-parametric tests and Spearman’s ranked correlations were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The study sample consisted of 34 males and 28 females aged 11.6 and 11.8 years, respectively (p=0.781). The mean BMI was 30.5 (SD 5.5): 8 of participant had normal weight (≤25 BMI), 22 were overweight (25-30 BMI), and 32 were obese (≥30 BMI). The children’s BMIs were significantly associated with parental BMIs (r=0.395, p=0.004). Both SP and DP were significantly different between BMI subgroups (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively) with the obese group having the highest values (post-hoc Benjamini, p=0.004). Obese children had lower average T4 levels when compared to the comparators (7.5 μg/dL vs. 9.9 μg/dL, p=0.021). Obese children had significantly lower baseline glucose levels and higher insulin levels when compared to the overweight/normal BMI children (73.8 mg/ dL vs. 86.4 mg/dL, p<0.001 and 21.8 μgU/mL vs. 132 μgU/mL, p=0.003). Obese children had the greatest numerical increase in glucose levels during the OGTT (Δ63.0 mg/dL vs. Δ43.2 mg/dL, p=0.063) and numerically smaller absolute insulin response (Δ86.1 μIU/mL vs. Δ125.7 μIU/mL, p=0.307). Conclusions: Pediatric patients demonstrate familial type of obesity and premorbid asymptomatic endocrine impairments. In order to maintain normal glucose levels, obese pediatric patients demonstrate high levels of resting insulin levels and diminished response after OGTT load