Cardiovascular and Diabetes Risk in Preschoolers

Abstract

Objective: To perform an exploratory analysis of possible alterations in clinical markers of cardiovascular risk and type 2 diabetes in preschoolers living in urban and suburban areas of the municipality of Hermosillo, Sonora, Northwest Mexico. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out on children from urban and suburban areas. Their weight, height, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and blood pressure were measured, and their lipid profile, glucose, and insulin concentrations were evaluated. Results: Eighty-two children with an average age of five were included in the study; 48 from the conurbation and 34 from the urban area. We found that malnutrition, overweight, and high body fat percentage (27 ± 0.52) coexist. In the suburban area, there was a higher percentage of children with pre-hypertension and alterations in lipids: elevated triglycerides (35%) and low HDL-c (25%) (p < 0.01). In the urban area, there was a higher percentage of children with altered glucose (12%), elevated insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes are prevalent in children aged three to six living in urban and conurbation areas of Hermosillo, Sonora.