BEWARE ! WAIST OF YOUR CHILD CAN PREDICT METABOLIC DISEASES
BEWARE ! Waist of your child can predict Metabolic Diseases
Multicentre study in 5 major Indian Cities on 10,842 children finds 3.3 % (358) of children suffering from high blood pressure
The study finds cut-off waist circumferences as predictor for metabolic syndrome in Indian children
Published in current issue of Journal of Pediatrics
New Delhi: A multicentre, cross-sectional study which was done on 10,842 children in 5 cities of India i.e Delhi , Chennai , Kolkata , Pune and Raipur has suggested cutoff values of Waist Circumference, for screening for Metabolic Syndrome in Indian Children . It has also developed age and sex specific reference curves for Waist Circumference for Indian Children. This study has been accepted for publication in the forthcoming issue of The Journal of Pediatrics.
According to Dr. Archana Dayal Arya , Pediatric Endocrinologist , Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and co-author of the study, “ The prevalence of childhood obesity is rising in developing countries including India . Abdominal obesity is also on the rise and is associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MS).MS in children has been defined as the presence of > or =3 of the following criteria:
High triglyceride levels in blood, Low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol),
increased fasting blood glucose levels High systolic blood pressure and Waist circumference > 75thpercentile. MS results in increased risk for hypertension , type 2 diabetes mellitus , and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.”
“In my daily practice, I am seeing many children who are getting diseases which were earlier seen only in adults , primarily because of obesity . It is shocking to see children as young as 6 yrs old with diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and abnormalities in the lipid profile. In this study we found 350 children suffering from hypertension .” Dr Archana added.
According to Dr Anuradha Khadilkar , Consultant Paediatrician , Jehangir Hospital , Pune and corresponding author of the study , “ We found in the study that primary or essential hypertension , commonly seen in adults , is becoming common in children , who are obese or overweight . Therefore it is very essential for them to change their lifestyle and lose weight . They should be encouraged to participate in outdoor sports and other physical activities . =They should cut down on the intake of high calorie foods with poor nutritional value (junk food )and a high fat diet . ”
According to this study the following are the Waist Circumference cut off values for
Metabolic Syndrome in boys and girls :
70th percentile Waist Circumference value in cms
Age Boys Girls
2 to 5 yrs 52.3 cms( 20.59 inches) 52.3cms (20.59 inches)
6 to 9 yrs 63.4 cms(24.96 inches) 63.5 cms (25.0 inches)
10 to 14 yrs 77.6 cms (30.55 inches) 77.5 cms (30.51 inches)
15 to 17 yrs 86.5 cms (34.05 inches) 85.1 cms (33.50 inches )
—————————— —————————— —————————— ————–Prevalence rates of MS in the pediatric age group vary depending on the criteria used . The International Diabetes Federation’s definition of the MS in children , includes waist circumference (WC) as a criterion for the diagnosis of MS in children .
With reference WC percentiles , it is helpful to identify the cutoff level above which the risk for MS increases . The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA has proposed the 90th percentile as the cutoff for central obesity in children. The previous Indian studies have suggested an empirical cutoff of the 75th percentile to screen for MS , but to date no study has proposed a biologically rational cutoff.
The objective of the present study were to develop WC percentiles curves and to define cutoff of WC for Indian children so that they can be identified for risks for metabolic syndrome and in turn with increased risk for hypertension , type 2 diabetes mellitus , and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease . The study found that 3.3 % or 358 children out of total sample size of 10,842 children were hypertensive . The study also found that risk factor for Indian Children for developing MS was at 70 th Waist Circumference percentile which is significantly lower than International proposed WC cutoff of 90th percentile .
For any further queries, please contact
Dr Archana Arya , Pediatric Endocrinologist , Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and co-author of the study , Mobile 9810076845
Or Dr Anuradha Khadilkar , Consultant Pediatrician , Jehangir Hospital , Pune and corresponding author of the study , Mobile : +919850244305
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