Overweight in children is associated with arterial endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickening

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We sought to study arterial endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), both early markers of atherosclerosis, in overweight compared to normal children. DESIGN: Case–control comparison. SUBJECTS: A total of 36 asymptomatic overweight children (body mass index (BMI)>23; mean 25±3) aged 9–12 y and 36 age- and gender-matched nonobese healthy children (BMIPP=0.001), WHR (PP=0.001) and triglyceride levels (Pvs 9.7±3.0%, Pvs 0.45±0.04 mm, P=0.006). The degree of endothelial dysfunction correlated with BMI (P<0.003) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Obesity, even of mild-to-moderate degree, is independently associated with abnormal arterial function and structure in otherwise healthy young children.