Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Among Overweight Children: A Case for Cholesterol Screening in Canada

摘要

Background: Rates of childhood obesity and its associated risks are increasing in Canada. The purpose of this article is to examine the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among overweight Canadian children to determine increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and recommendations for cholesterol screening.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the Pediatric Weight Clinic (PWC) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The sample included 294 children (aged 3-19 years) with a BMI greater than the 85th (overweight) and 95th (obese) percentile for age and gender. Blood lipid profiles with measurements of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipo-protein (HDL) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides were analyzed.Results: Abnormal total cholesterol levels were detected in 50.8% of children (n = 126). The prevalence of abnormal LDL and HDL cholesterol were 47.5 and 20.2% respectively (n = 116, n = 49). Triglyceride levels were abnormal in 38.8% of children (n = 94). Rates were adjusted to valid percents in order to reflect the number of members in each lipid subsample.Conclusions: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among overweight Canadian children is high. Given that these children present with two risk factors for CHD (obesity and hypercholesterolemia), cholesterol screening guidelines are recommended for prevention and early intervention.