Study of the clinical profile and biochemical parameters in overweight and obese children - A hospital based cross sectional study

Introduction: Childhood obesity is increasing all over the world and is associated with metabolic and endocrine derangements. We studied the clinical profile and biochemical parameters in obese and overweight children to assess the presence of metabolic syndrome (Met S). Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study carried out over a period of 2 months. A total of 25 overweight and obese children of less than 18 years with BMI more than 85^th percentile were included. Anthropometric measurement of weight, standing height, waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure were taken.A blood sample was collected in the morning after 8hours of fast for lipid profile and fasting blood sugar. Met S was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: Mean age of the study population was 9.7 years.Mean values along with standard deviation of total cholesterol (174.6 ± 73.37), triglyceride (124.8 ± 51.62), HDL cholesterol (39.1 ± 8.84), LDL cholesterol (84.6 ± 3.12), VLDL cholesterol (30.9 ± 2.67) and fasting blood glucose(90.52 ± 1.16) respectively. Prevalence of Metabolic syndrome was identified in 8(32%) subjects of which five male and three female. In the present study Met S was seen in 6(75%) obese children and 2 (11.76%) overweight children. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome can occur not only in the obese but also in the overweight children which necessitates early interventions for better outcomes with respect to cardiovascular risk factors.