Lipid metabolism in overweight/obese children vs. normal weight children in a north-eastern region of Spain

Cuenca Alcocel, José ; Villalba-Heredia, Lorena ; Martínez Redondo, Inés ; Gallego Royo, Alba (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Casajús, José A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Arbonés-Mainar, José M. ; Calmarza, Pilar

Resumen: Objectives
Obesity and overweight have increased in children and adolescents in Europe in the recent years, accounting for a major global public health problem. The objective of this study was the early detection of metabolic abnormalities in overweight/obese children (8–12 years old) that may ultimately induce impaired glucose metabolism and/or cardiovascular diseases.
Methods
Lipid metabolism and metabolic control parameters were measured and monitored in a group of 61 male and female children with overweight/obesity and a group of 45 healthy, normal weight children, comparing the results obtained. Ages ranged from 8 to 12 years.
Results
Higher levels of triglycerides and insulin and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 were observed in overweight/obese children, as compared to normal weight children. Overweight/obese children exhibited higher apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, triglyceride-glucose ratio and HOMA index and a lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio.
Conclusions
Obesity at an early age (8–12 years) negatively affects lipid parameters. Hence, overweight/obese children presented a more atherogenic lipid profile, manifested as higher concentrations of remnant particles and small dense LDL particles, higher insulin resistance and a higher risk for developing diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease, as compared to normal weight children.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1515/almed-2025-0015

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Advances in laboratory medicine (2025), [9 pp.]
ISSN: 2628-491X

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Educación Física y Depor. (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)
Área (Departamento): Area Medicina (Dpto. Medicina, Psiqu. y Derm.)