Obesity and Metabolic Risks in Children

Background ertook this study to establish the prevalence of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and high glucose and triglyceride levels in school-age children from Mexico City, as well as to determine how overweight and obesity are related to the other risk factors. s udy was a cross-sectional survey comprised of 1819 children (6–13 years of age) attending six elementary schools. Gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and levels of triglycerides and glucose were registered. Percentiles were calculated according to American standards for BMI, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. s ed to American references, mean percentiles for waist circumference and BMI were >50, and mean height percentiles were <50. Prevalence of overweight was 22.3 and 23.6% for boys and girls, respectively; obesity, 28 and 21.2%; abdominal obesity, 22.1 and 11.7%; high triglyceride levels, 11.3 and 15.4%; high blood pressure, 4.8 and 5.8%, respectively. Overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity are associated with higher blood pressure and triglyceride levels (odds ratio >1.0, p <0.05). Percentiles for BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure also had significant correlations (r >0.2, p <0.001). sions opulation of Mexican school-age children was shorter and heavier than their American standards. The prevalence of metabolic risks was similar to those reported in American adolescents in NHANES surveys.