The health-related quality of life in normal and obese children

AbstractBackgroundOverweight and obesity have a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) in different patterns and magnitudes.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of obesity on the quality of life in children.Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 111 children aged from six to twelve years in National Nutrition Institute. They were divided according to age into two groups; group I for children ⩽8years (n=42) and group II for children >8years (n=69). Only obese children of nutritional cause of obesity were included in this study. The data were collected by different tools, questionnaire and clinical Assessment.ResultsResults showed that; in group I (⩽8years); 20 children were of normalweight (47.6%) and 22 were obese (52.4%), while in group II (>8years old); 29 of them were of normal weight (42.0%) and 40 were obese (58.0%). The Mean±SD of body mass index (BMI), height and weight in normal and obese children were significantly different. The socioeconomic class relation between normal and obese children was significantly different. The total quality of life score was ⩾75 (very good QoL) in 95.0% and 82.8% of normal weight children, while the percentage was only 4.5% and 5.0% in obese children (⩽8years and >8years, respectively). On the other hand, the total score was ⩽25% (bad QoL Life) in only 0.0% and 6.9% of normal weight children, while it was 31.8% and 17.5% in obese children (⩽8years and >8years, respectively).There was a negative correlation relationship between total quality of life scores and BMI, waist circumference, weight and a positive correlation relationship between quality of life scores and father’s and mother’s education and father’s occupation.ConclusionObesity in children had a negative impact on their quality of life

Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in Obese and Nonobese Diabetic Children

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an expanded health problem worldwide and it is blamed for a startling rise in type 1 diabetes (T1DM), the interaction between obesity, autoimmune processes, and glucose homeostasis is a growing field of study. AIM: This study was undertaken to predict the role of the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17 and IL-10) as biomarkers in early screening for obesity and T1DM and to determine the relation of inflammatory cytokines with diabetic complications especially nephropathy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The target group consisted of 92 children with type 1 diabetes children who were diagnosed according to the criteria provided by American Diabetes Association Diabetic; cases were divided into two groups, Group 1 (overweight and obese diabetics) and Group 2 (normal weight diabetic children). The levels of serum IL-17 and IL-10 were assayed in these children by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol levels were measured as well as urinary microalbumin level was estimated for detection of nephropathy. RESULTS: Diabetic overweight and obese children exhibited significantly 3.8 folds more at risk to be bad glycemic control than diabetic children with normal body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, overweight and obese diabetic children displayed significantly 15 times more at risk of having nephropathy than diabetic children with normal BMI. Low serum level of IL 10 and high level of IL 17 showed a significant association with high BMI in diabetic children. High HBA1c, low IL 10, and long disease duration were significantly considered as predominant risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in diabetic children. CONCLUSION: The obtained data from these investigations proved that overweight and obese children have a low serum level of IL-10 and high serum IL-17 levels. The relationship between IL-10/IL-17 can be applied as a good marker for the inflammatory state and these inflammatory interleukins can be employed as biomarkers in early screening for obesity and T1DM. Furthermore, these interleukins can be utilized as a predictor for early diabetic complications, particularly nephropathy

Breast Milk Macronutrients in Relation to Infants’ Anthropometric Measures

BACKGROUND: Breast milk (BM) is the main nutritional source for newborns before they are capable to eat and consume other foods. BM has carbohydrates, lipids, complex proteins, and other biologically active components which have a direct effect on infant growth. AIM: The aim of the study was to correlate anthropometric data of the infant to macronutrients in BM (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and to find some modifiable issues affecting macronutrient contents of BM for the benefits of upcoming infants. METHODS: One hundred breastfeeding mothers participated in the study, they were recruited from the outpatient clinic, El Demerdash Hospital, Ain Shams University, from September 2019, to December 2019. BM was expressed by an electric pump, macronutrient content was assessed. Anthropometric data of the babies and mothers were obtained, gestational age, parity, age of the women, and the route of birth were recorded. RESULTS: For the macronutrients content of milk, a positive significant correlation was observed between BM fat, protein, and lactose. Infants’ body mass index (BMI) was negatively related to the fat content of BM, while no relation was found between BMI and protein or lactose content of the milk. BM fat content was negatively correlated with gestational age and maternal age. Positive correlations were found between BMI and protein, lactose and infant age. Protein content was negatively correlated with parity. No impact of infant’s sex on BM composition and as regards maternal diet, high protein consumption leading to increase BM protein content. CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms that BM macronutrient composition has a wide variability; this variability is associated with each macronutrient, respectively. To improve BM composition, one could aim for improving the nutritional balance in lactating women, especially for protein intake. More well-designed longitudinal studies about factors that influence human milk compositions are warranted

Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, and Adiponectin as Predictors of Atherosclerotic Risk among Obese Egyptian Children

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, premature atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease in the future.AIM: This study is designed to assess the relationship between serum adiponectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and lipid profile among Egyptian overweight and obese children.METHODS: This cross sectional case control study included 40 selected pre-pubertal overweight and obese children, 24 girls (60%) and 16 boys (40%) aged between 5 to 13 years (8.85 ± 2.7 years), from new cases attending the National nutrition institute clinic during 2013. Forty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex were recruited as a control group.RESULTS: Obese group showed highly significant higher levels of serum ADMA, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared with healthy controls (P <0.000 in all). However, serum adiponectin levels were highly significant lower in obese children compared to healthy controls (P < 0.000). Serum ADMA showed significant positive correlations with height, serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels and significant negative correlation with the body mass index and weight for age z score.  Serum adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with BMI, weight, and weight for age z score and significant positive correlation with serum triglycerides. By linear regression analysis; serum adiponectin, and serum triglycerides levels were significant predictors of high serum ADMA level (p =0.045 and 0.015 respectively). BMI, weight, height and serum triglycerides were significant predictors of low serum adiponectin levels (p = 0.005, 0.022, 0.026 and 0.015 respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that ADMA, Adiponectin and lipid profile can be considered as predictive biomarkers in prediction and prevention of atherosclerotic risk in the future among overweight and obese Egyptian children