Prevalence and Determinants of Elevated High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Concentrations in Belgian Children and Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity

Abstract

Background: Low-grade inflammation, indicated by elevated serum high-sensitivity CRP (hS-CRP), is commonly observed in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. This study evaluated serum hS-CRP in relation to body fat parameters, lifestyle characteristics, and potential biological determinants (leptin, HDL cholesterol, and 25-OH vitamin D) in a Belgian population. Methods: Anthropometric measurements, biochemical results, and lifestyle questionnaires were analyzed from 267 children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Results: Median (P10, P90) serum hS-CRP concentration was 1.8 mg/L (0.5, 5.4). In total, 73 subjects had an elevated hS-CRP (≥ 3 mg/L). Children with elevated hS-CRP, irrespective of sex and pubertal status, had higher total body fat mass (BIA) (p = 0.004) and abdominal fat mass (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) (p < 0.001) and participated in fewer sports activities outside school (p = 0.004) compared with those with normal hS-CRP levels. WHtR was the best anthropometric predictor of hS-CRP (beta = 0.228; p = 0.013), while serum leptin was the best biochemical predictor (beta = 0.193; p = 0.034). Conclusions: A quarter of Belgian children with overweight/obesity have elevated hs-CRP concentrations. This study supports the use of WHtR in clinical practice for the evaluation of children with overweight/obesity, given its association with low-grade inflammation.