Relationship of Obesity with Abnormalities of Lipid Profile, Hba1c Level and Thyroid Profile in Children and Adolescents Aged 3-15 Years

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of obesity with abnormalities of lipid profile, HbA1c levels and thyroid profile in children and adolescents aged 3-15 years and to find prevalence of metabolic syndrome in them.

METHODS: 70 obese children with BMI >95th percentile and 70 non-obese children in age group 3-15 years were included in our study. Each participant was subjected to anthropometric and biochemical assessment. Fasting blood lipid levels, fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels, fT4 and TSH levels were performed. Measurements for waist circumference and blood pressure were taken.

RESULTS: Blood lipid levels including total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and serum LDL- cholesterol were significantly elevated in obese children and adolescents (p <0.001) while serum HDL- cholesterol levels were significantly reduced (p <0.001). FBS and HbA1c levels showed significant association of prediabetes and diabetes with obesity. Low fT4 and high TSH levels were significantly associated with obesity. Prevalence of hypertension was 24.29% in obese group compared to 5.71% in non-obese group. According to IDF consensus, prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.69% in obese group.

CONCLUSION: Obesity predispose children and adolescents to metabolic derangements including dyslipidaemia, prediabetes and diabetes, hypothyroidism and hypertension. Obesity poses a risk for children to develop metabolic syndrome at such a young age.