Dyslipidemia and Associated Risk Factors in Obese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of dyslipidemia (DLD) in obese children and adolescents

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital, Rawlakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan from January 2024 to June 2024.

Methods: Children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years, with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for their age and gender, were analyzed. Participants underwent fasting blood tests to assess lipid levels. Associations between DLD and categorical variables (diet, physical activity, family history) were assessed using chi-square test taking p<0.05 as statistically significant.

Results: In a total of 189 participants, 103 (54.5%) were boys. The mean age, BMI, and waist circumference were 11.93±4.09 years, 29.02±3.96 kg/m², and 93.47±9.46 cm, respectively. Dylipidemia was diagnosed in 99 (52.4%) participants. Sedentary life style (79.8% vs. 63.3%, p=0.021), family history of DLD (48.5% vs. 27.8%, p=0.003), screen time ≥ 2 hours/day (74.7% vs. 5.4%, p=0.003), and sleep duration < 8 hours/day (50.5% vs. 34.4%, p=0.026) were found to have significant association with DLD.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of DLD among obese children and adolescents, with significant associations with sedentary lifestyle, family history, prolonged screen time, and reduced sleep duration.