Lipid Profile, Obesity Indicators and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: Sex-Specific Associations.

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity and cardiometabolic disturbances are growing global health concerns. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of excess body weight, body fat, and selected cardiometabolic risk factors in school-aged children and adolescents, focusing on sex- and age-related differences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 Polish participants aged 6-17 years, including 169 children (6-12 years) and 149 adolescents (13-17 years). Anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), and fasting blood lipid and glucose measurements were collected and analyzed by age group (children 6-12 years; adolescents 13-17 years) and sex. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.5% (BMI-based) and 26.1% (body fat-based). Abdominal obesity and stage I-II hypertension were observed in 24.5% and 23.6% of participants, respectively. Children had higher rates of excess body fat, abdominal obesity, elevated BP, and lipid abnormalities than adolescents. Among adolescents, girls more frequently presented with borderline/high total cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) and borderline/low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol), while boys more often had elevated BP. In girls, elevated triglycerides (TGs) were independently associated with abdominal obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, p = 0.015) and hypertension (OR = 2.47, p = 0.023); no such associations were observed in boys. Conclusions: Cardiometabolic risk factors may appear early in life and differ by age and sex. Routine screening and early interventions, particularly targeting lipid abnormalities in girls, are essential to prevent long-term health consequences.