All issues > Volume 36(3); 1993

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1993;36(3):338-346. Published online March 15, 1993.

Obesity in Elementary School Children

Ji Hee JH Park¹, Chang Sung CS Son¹, Joo Won JW Lee¹, Young Chang YC Tockgo¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Obesity has been implicated as a significant risk factor for multiple medical condition including hypertention, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hyperisulinemia and fatty liver. Furthermore, obesity in childhood is believed to be a reliable predictor of a similar condition in adulthood. During the recent yars, there has been a rapid rise in the incidence of childhood obesity in Korea due to increased dietary intake rich in caloric content. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and potential health complications of obesity observed in elimentary school students. A total of 3,103 children (1,630 boys and 1,473 girls), ages ranging from 6 to 12, were studied with personal interview, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The results were as follows:1) and girls(12.36%). 2) The prevalence of childhood obesity in Seoul was significantly higher(18.62%)than that in Suwon(7.75%) and in Hongchon(6.02%). 3) A higher incidence of hypertension was detected in obese subjects and this was more obvious in girls. 4) Hyperlipidemia and elevated Atherogenic Index were more frequently observed in obese group. 5) although fasting blood glucose levels were similar in both groups. AST and ALT abnormalities were much more prevalent in obese group. It is concluded that hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities are much more frequently observed in obese children and that our effects should be focused on the earliest dection, prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Keywords :Obesity