RESUMEN
Background: obesity is one of the most important health problems in many countries which increase the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Although cardiovascular findings are specific to adulthood, but identification of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood is necessary to prevent damage to target organs in adulthood The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents
Methods: this cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 442 children and adolescents aged 4 to 16 years old. After the clinical examination, blood pressure, height and weight were measured. The body mass index over than 95th percentile for age and sex or BMI Z-Score equal or more than 2] was defined as obesity. After 12 hours of fasting, the blood samples were taken for measurement of serum lipid profiles, insulin and glucose levels
Results: of the total obese subjects, 15.8% [n=70] had no risk factors for cardiovascular disease, while 22.2% had one, 32.4% had two, 22.4% had three, 2.5% had four and 1.6% had five risk factors. The most common risk factor was hypertriglyceridemia [52.3 %] and the second risk factor was impaired fasting blood glucose [34.9%]
Conclusion: the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high in obese children and adolescents
RESUMEN
Background: During the past century, the mean age at menarche among the North West Iranian girls has decreased. The aim of this study was to compare the age of menarche between two generations and to determine the effect of BMI on the menarche age. Materials and Methods: This cross –sectional study was carried out on 2029 girls of 9-17 years of age during September 2012 to May 2014 in North-West of Iran. Participants were selected by multistage random cluster sampling from school students in urban and rural areas. After measuring their height and weight, relevant data were collected through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by chi-square, independent-t test and Pearson bivariate correlation Coefficients, using SPSS 16. Results: Out of 2029 girls’ age 9-17 years, the 1600 who were menstruating included in the study. The mean age of menarche in daughters and their mothers were 12.58±1.3 and 13.22±1.22 years, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between mothers’ and daughters’ menarche age (r = 0.33, P= 0.001). However, a negative significant relation was observed between menarche age and BMI (r= 0.24 P< 0.001). Conclusion: We found that the mean age of menarche was different in comparison with the previous generations. The age at menarche of obese girls is significantly earlier normal weight.