Obesity in elementary school children

Park, Ji Hee; Son, Chang Sung; Lee, Joo Won; Tocko, Young Chang

Abstract

Obesity has been implicated as a significant risk factor for multiple medical condition including hypertention, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and fatty liver. Furthermore, obesity in childhood is believed to be a reliable predictor of a similar condition in adulthood. During the recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the incidence of childhood obesity in Korea due to increased dietary intake rich in caloric content. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and potential health complications of obesity observed in elmentary school students. A total of 3,103 children (1630 boys and 1,473 girls), ages ranging from 6 to 12, were studied with personal interview, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of obesity was 13.44% with approximately equal distribution among boys (14.42%) and girls (12.36%). 2) The prevalence of childhood obesity in Seoul was significantly higher (18.62%) than that in Suwon (7.85%) and in Hongchon (6.02%). 3) A higher incidence of hypertension was dectected in obese subjects and this was more obvious in girls. 4) Hyperlipidemia and elevated Atherogenic Index were more frequently observed in obese group. 5) although fasting blood glucose levels were similar in both groups. AST and ALT abnormalities were much more prevalent in obese group. It is concluded that hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities are much more frequently observed in obese children and that our effects should be focused on the earliest dection, prevention and management of childhood obesity.