Evaluation of Markers of Inflammation, Insulin Resistance and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children at Risk for Overweight

Objective: Childhood obesity is associated with impaired endothelial function, insulin resistance and inflammation. Being at risk for overweight has been defined as having a body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 94th percentile for age and sex. In this study, we looked for features linked to cardiovascular risk in children who are at risk for overweight.

Design: Twenty-one children who were at risk for overweight (study group) and 20 children with a BMI between the 25th-74th percentiles (controls) were studied. Fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, fibrinogen and high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in both groups. LDL-cholesterol, HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were calculated. Flow-mediated Vasodilatation (FMD) was determined for the evaluation of endothelial function.

Results: Increased HOMA-IR was observed in children who were at risk for overweight. Waist circumference was the main predictor of insulin resistance in these children. Higher levels of CRP were found in the study group compared to controls, while plasma fibrinogen did not differ in the two groups. The children who were at risk for overweight had lower FMD values and slightly elevated lipids compared to controls; however, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Insulin resistance and inflammation indices were higher in children who were at risk for overweight as has been shown for obese children. The data suggest that appropriate treatment strategies for weight control are essential not only for obese children but also for those at risk for overweight.