Changes in general and abdominal obesity in children at 4, 6 and 9 years of age and their association with other cardiometabolic risk factors
Authors: Ortiz-Marrón Honorato , Cabañas Pujadas Gloria , Ortiz-Pinto Maira Alejandra , Martín García Aránzazu , Matesanz Martínez Carolina , Antonaya Martín María del Castillo , Cortés Rico Olga , Galán Iñaki 
Published: January 2023

Temporary changes in childhood obesity and their association with cardiometabolic risk factors have been receiving increased attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in general (GO) and abdominal (AO) obesity in children from 4 to 9 years of age and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors at 9 years of age. This study includes 1344 children from the Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study (ELOIN). Physical examinations performed at 4, 6 and 9 years of age and a blood sample was only taken at 9 years of age. Changes in obesity from 4 to 9 years of age were estimated using Body Mass Index and waist circumference. Participants were classified into four groups according to GO and AO: (1) stable without obesity (no obesity at all three measurements); (2) remitting obesity at 9 years (obesity at 4 and/or 6 years but not at 9 years); (3) incident or recurrent obesity at 9 years (obesity only at 9 years, at 4 and 9 years or at 6 and 9 years); and (4) stable or persistent with obesity (obesity at 4, 6 and 9 years). Dyslipidemia and dysglycemia were defined by the presence of at least one altered parameter of the lipid or glycemic profile. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using logistic regression. Compared with children without GO at all ages, those with persistent GO had an OR of 3.66 (95% CI: 2.06–6.51) for dyslipidemia, 10.61 (95% CI: 5.69–19.79) for dysglycemia and 8.35 (95% CI: 4.55–15.30) for high blood pressure. The associations were fairly similar in the case of AO, with ORs of 3.52 (95% CI: 1.96–6.34), 17.15 (95% CI: 9.09–32.34) and 8.22 (95% CI: 4.46–15.15), respectively, when comparing persistent versus stable without AO. Children with incident obesity at 9 years presented a moderate cardiometabolic risk that was nevertheless higher compared to those stable without obesity, whereas those with remitting obesity did not show any significant associations.

Conclusion: Incident, and especially, persistent obesity, is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk. The very early prevention of obesity, with a focus on nutrition, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, as well as tracking growth from birth to age 5, should be a priority to prevent the burden of cardiometabolic disease with consequences for adulthood.

What is Known:• General and abdominal obesity has been shown to be associated with other cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension.• Temporary changes in obesity and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors have not been sufficiently explored in childhood.

What is New:• Children with incident, and especially persistent, general and/or abdominal obesity, had an increased risk of dyslipidemia, dysglycemia and high blood pressure.•Remitting obesity was not associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk.