Comparison of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children and Adults With and Without Obesity: A Hysteresis Model

Objective: To describe a third-degree polynomial function (hysteresis) of the effect size of age, obesity, and insulin sensitivity over the carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT), in the pediatric and adult groups. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with fixed factor analysis of age (children aged 8-12 years, n = 73; adults aged 21-45 years, n = 82) and obesity (yes, n = 76; no, n = 79) was conducted to analyze the effect on the c-IMT and Matsuda insulin sensitivity index values. This quasi-experimental design was analyzed with robust regression modeling. Results: The additive effect of obesity, independent of age, was evident in the case of the c-IMT values. There was no interaction effect, but a significant difference between participants with normal weight and those with obesity was found (P <.0001). The difference between adults and children was also significant, but the effect size was smaller. A model was created based on age, Tanner stage, and obesity using the c-IMT and Matsuda insulin sensitivity index values. A linear function fit as R-2, and the cubic function estimated parameters like a polynomial model. Conclusion: This practical study design showed that children with obesity displayed the same levels of carotid intima-media abnormalities as adults with obesity. The polynomial shape of the model suggests potentially poor outcomes that resemble the hysteresis process and may predict chronic cardiometabolic events during early adulthood. (c) 2021 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study describes the effect size of age, obesity, and insulin sensitivity on carotid intima-media thickness and finds that children with obesity display similar abnormalities to obese adults. The polynomial shape of the model may predict cardiometabolic events during early adulthood.