Hypertension, Dyslipoproteinemia and BMI-Category Characterise the Cardiovascular Risk in Overweight or Obese Children and Adolescents: Data of the BZgA-Observational Study (EvAKu-J-Project) and the KiGGS-Study

Background: The considerable increase of obesity in children and adolescents poses a major challenge to the health care system. Methods: In an observation study of the Bundeszentrale fur gesundheitliche Aufklarung (BZgA) somatic data of 1916 overweight and obese children and adolescents aged 8-17 years were compared to data of 7451 normal weight children and adolescents (KiGGS). Age, sex, body weight, height, BMI-SDS, blood pressure, and lipids were analyzed. Body weight was assessed using the BMI categories of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Adipositas im Kindes- rind Jugendalter (AGA) guidelines. Blood pressure measurements were given as above 95th percentile and categorized according to the classification of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). In addition blood pressure in BZgA-patients were estimated as above 95th percentile by age, sex and height in German normal weight children and adolescents. Lipid values were evaluated according to American Heart Association specifications. Results: Out of the participants of BZgA-study 14% were overweight, 48% obese, and 38% extremely obese. Blood pressure values were above the 95th percentile (ESH) in 35%. The blood pressure in normal weight participants of the KiGGS-study were elevated in 5%. Total cholesterol of BZgA-patients was elevated in 13%, LDL-cholesterol was elevated in 13%, HDL-cholesterol was low in 7%, and triglycerides in the fasting state were elevated in 12%. Conclusions: The rising prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with increasing BMI category requires effective strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity.