| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | Background: In adults and adolescents, obesity is positively associated
with cardiovascular disease risk factors; however, evidence in
preschool children is scarce.
Objective: The objective was to assess the relations between obesity
indicators and cardiometabolic risk factors in 324 Chilean children
4 y of age.
Design: We collected anthropometric measurements and calculated
general indicators of obesity [weight, body mass index (BMI), sum
of 4 skinfold thicknesses, percentage fat, and body fat index] and
central obesity (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-toheight
ratio, and truncal fatness based on skinfold thickness). We
measured blood sample concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukin-
6, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triglycerides,
and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol. We used correlation
and multiple linear regression analyses.
Results: The prevalence of obesity (BMI-for-age z score .2, World
Health Organization 2006), central obesity ( 90th percentile, third
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), and lipid disorders
was high (13%, 11%, and 20%, respectively), and 70% of
the children had at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Most correlations
between obesity and central obesity indicators were moderate
to strong (0.40 , r , 0.96). Obesity was positively but weakly
associated with C-reactive protein in both sexes and with homeostasis
model assessment of insulin resistance only in girls (all r ,
0.3, P , 0.05). Obesity indicators were unrelated to interleukin-6
and lipid concentrations (P . 0.05). Overall, obesity indicators
explained, at most, 8% of the variability in cardiometabolic risk
factors.
Conclusions: Obesity and central obesity were common, and most
of the children had at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, particularly
lipid disorders. Obesity and central obesity indicators were
highly intercorrelated and, overall, were weakly related to cardiometabolic
status. At this age, body mass index and waist circumference
were poor predictors of cardiometabolic status. | en_US |
