Dyslipidemia and its risk factors in overweight and obese children and adolescents

Introduction: Obesity and overweight are frequently associated with metabolic complications. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in overweight and obese children and adolescents and its risk factors (RF), and the concordance between different cut-off values (Cook et al. vs. American Academy of Cardiology) of triglycerides (TG) and HDL-C. Material and Methods: 139 patients (aged 8-14 years) with overweight or obesity, attending the outpatient Pediatric Clinic, Division of Nutrition, San Martin University Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from February 2005 to January 2013, were studied. The design was descriptive, observational, prospective, crossover and comparison of independent samples. Dyslipidemia was considered when: Total cholesterol (TC)>= 200 mg/dl or HDL-C <= 40 mg/dl or TG >= 110 mg/dl or LDL-C >= 130mg/dl. Increased waist circumference (WC >= 90th percentile, according Freedman et al.), low weight at birth (<2,5 kg.), family history of dyslipidemia and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were considered as risk factors. The concordance between the cut-off values of TG (>= 110 and = 150 mg/dl) and also of HDL-C (<= 40 and < 35 mg/dl) were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 50,4%; the most abnormal lipid fractions was the TG (31,7%) and the most frequently RF was the increased WC (55,4%). The concordance between cut-off values was weak for TG (Kappa index=0.38), and moderate for HDL-C (Kappa index=0,52). Conclusions: The high prevalence of dyslipidemia was similar to other reports. The risk factors for dyslipidemia were the increased WC and family history of dyslipidemia. Due to the degree of concordance for TG and HDL-C it is relevant the cut-off values to be considered.