Glucose and Lipid Profiles of Overweight and Obese Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a prevalent issue worldwide, affecting both children and adults and posing significant health risks. Obesity and overweight are known to be associated with metabolic abnormalities among children and adolescents. This study aims to determine the metabolic profiles, identifying any abnormalities and related factors among overweight and obese children in Saudi Arabia (SA). METHODS: This study conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical analysis on 382 overweight and obese children between the ages of seven and 14 years. The subjects were visitors to pediatric endocrinology clinics and primary healthcare clinics in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data from the electronic medical records between 2018 and 2020 were examined, focusing on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and fasting blood sugar (FBS). RESULTS: Among the study sample, 8% were found to have high TC, 19% had high LDL-C, 27% had low HDL-C, 12% had high TG, and 8% had high FBS. Overweight children had higher HDL levels, while obese children had higher TG levels. There was no significant difference between males and females or between different age groups in metabolic profiles. CONCLUSION: This study uncovered a low prevalence of abnormal lipid and FBS profiles among overweight and obese children and adolescents. Detecting and managing the early onset of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia can prevent long-term consequences and safeguard children from the risk of future cardiovascular injuries and deaths.