The importance of carotid artery stiffness and increased intima-media thickness in obese children : research

• Published in: South African medical journal 2012-05, Vol.102 (5), p.295-299
• Main Authors: Celikyay, Z. Ruken Yuksekkaya, Yerli, Yasemin, Ozcetin, Mustafa, Yilmaz, Resul, Celik, Atac, Erkorkmaz, Unal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0256-9574; 2078-5135

Background. Atherosclerosis that starts in childhood invariably advances during adulthood. Aim. We aimed to study the effect of obesity on main carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial stiffness. Material and methods. A total of 78 children were studied from October 2010 to February 2011. They were divided into obese (n=42, group 1) and normal (n=36, group 2). All children were subjected to physical examination, routine biochemical and haematological analysis, carotid ultrasonography and echocardiographic measurements. A detailed medical history was obtained. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing participants' weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. Stiffness index β was calculated using blood pressure and diameter of the systolic and diastolic artery. Intima-media thickness was also measured. Results. The mean age of the obese and normal (control) groups was 10.12±2.12 years and 9.78±1.78 years, respectively. Weight, BMI, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in the obese group (all p