Abstract
Background and aim: In the context of present epidemic of childhood obesity, we aimed to fi nd the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a cohort of obese children.
Methodology: Retrospective chart analysis of 700 obese children was done for their anthropometric and biochemical investigations.
Results: Some 15.4% (9.8% girls, 22% boys) subjects had NAFLD (ALT> 40 IU/L) after excluding other identifi able causes of liver dysfunction. Age, weight, TG, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR levels were higher in children with NAFLD. Twenty-eight percent children had MS. Children with NAFLD had an odds ratio of 2.65 for having MS (boys 4.6, girls 1.7). The prevalence of MS increased with age 5–9 years (21%), 10–16 years (30%), 17–20 years (35%).
Conclusion: Given high prevalence of NAFLD and MS in obese children, childhood obesity should be seriously considered as a disease and not just a cosmetic issue.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston