High prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities among adolescents with obesity

• Published in: Scientific reports 2020-11, Vol.10 (1), p.20101, Article 20101
• Main Authors: Leong, Karen S. W., Jayasinghe, Thilini N., Wilson, Brooke C., Derraik, José G. B., Albert, Benjamin B., Chiavaroli, Valentina, Svirskis, Darren M., Beck, Kathryn L., Conlon, Cathryn A., Jiang, Yannan, Schierding, William, Vatanen, Tommi, Holland, David J., O’Sullivan, Justin M., Cutfield, Wayne S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 692/163; 692/699; Adolescent; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Body Mass Index; Comorbidity; Dyslipidemias - epidemiology; Female; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; multidisciplinary; New Zealand - epidemiology; Pediatric Obesity - epidemiology; Prediabetic State - epidemiology; Prehypertension - epidemiology; Prevalence; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Socioeconomic Factors; Undiagnosed Diseases - epidemiology; Waist Circumference
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76921-6

Metabolic diseases are increasing among adolescents with obesity. Although the reported prevalence of metabolic syndrome is approximately 30% worldwide, its prevalence is largely unknown among New Zealand adolescents. Therefore, we assessed the health of adolescents with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) enrolled in a randomised clinical trial (Gut Bugs Trial), to identify the prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities. Assessments included anthropometry, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and insulin sensitivity. We report on baseline data (pre-randomisation) on 87 participants (14–18 years; 59% females), with mean BMI 36.9 ± 5.3 kg/m 2 (BMI SDS 3.33 ± 0.79). Approximately 40% of participants had undiagnosed metabolic syndrome, which was twice as common among males. Half (53%) had pre-diabetes and 92% a reduction in insulin sensitivity. Moreover, 31% had pre-hypertension/hypertension, 69% dyslipidaemia, and 25% abnormal liver function. Participants with class III obesity had a greater risk of metabolic syndrome than those with classes I/II [relative risk 1.99 (95% CI 1.19, 3.34)]. Risks for pre-hypertension/hypertension and inflammation were also greater among those with class III obesity. We identified a high prevalence of undiagnosed comorbidities among adolescents with obesity in New Zealand. As adolescent obesity tracks into adulthood, early interventions are needed to prevent progression to overt cardiometabolic diseases.