Key result
Obese children and adolescents with high subcutaneous fat thickness and central distribution had higher blood pressure levels than those with low thickness and peripheral distribution.
Why the study?
Is subcutaneous fat distribution associated with blood pressure levels in obese children and adolescents?
Cross-Sectional (n=3,579)
Is subcutaneous fat distribution associated with blood pressure levels in obese children and adolescents?
In obese children and adolescents, measuring skinfold thickness in addition to BMI helps better identify those at risk for high blood pressure.
May support skinfold measures for BP risk stratification in obese youth beyond BMI; leaves open causal and interventional implications pending longitudinal data.
BACKGROUND: The association between elevated blood pressure (BP) and childhood obesity has been documented in several studies. However, the association between BP and body fat distribution in obese children remains poorly understood. We examined the distribution of subcutaneous fat and its association with BP in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey of school children. A total of 38,873 students (19,485 boys and 19,388 girls) aged 7-17 years participated in this study. Height, weight, BP, subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (SFT) of all subjects were measured. Obesity was defined by using body mass index (BMI) criteria recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China. A total of 3,579 obese children and adolescents (2,367 boys and 1,212 girls) were examined. RESULTS: Most of the obese children and adolescents had high subcutaneous fat. However, a small number of the obese individuals had a lower SFT levels. Obese children and adolescents with high SFT and central distribution had higher BP levels than those with low SFT and peripheral distribution. CONCLUSION: Obese children and adolescents assessed by BMI might not necessarily have a high SFT level. The BP level of obese individuals is associated with the level and distribution pattern of SFT. Additional measurement of SFT is better than BMI alone to help identify high BP risks.
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Zhang et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in Childhood obesity (n=3,579). High subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and central distribution vs. Low SFT and peripheral distribution was evaluated on Blood pressure levels. Obese children and adolescents with high subcutaneous fat thickness and central distribution had higher blood pressure levels than those with low thickness and peripheral distribution.
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