ABSTRACT
Background: obesity is a serious public health problem in developing countries due to its association with the cardiovascular risk factors. Childhood obesity is responsible for a number of different complications both during childhood and adulthood. The aim of the present study was to determine the cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Iranian children
Methods: we screened 13086 children aged 7-12 years by measuring waist circumference. Those with a waist circumference 261 cm were selected for further evaluation. Antjfropometric measurements were'done and blood samples were taken from 563 enrolled ovenveightlobese children [284 boys and 279 girls]. We determined cardiovascular risk factors [including fasting total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, blood pressure]. In addition we measured the fasting blood .sugar, insulin, apo-A , apo-B and leptin levels
Results: only 2.7% of overweight or obese children had no risk factors. While, 20.6% had one and 70.85% had two or more risk factors. The prevalence of high total Cholestrol levels was 42.6%. HDLC showed an acceptable level in 92.4%of children .There were strong correlations between BMI and serum apoB and leptin levels [p<0.005]
Conclusion: the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Iranian children emphasizes the need for prevention and control of childhood obesity from early childhood in our country