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Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, birthweight and central obesity in pre-school children

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 330–339 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between blood cholesterol and triglyceride, birthweight and central obesity in pre-school children, after controlling for height and body mass index.

METHODS: This was a longitudinal population-based study in south-west England. Research clinics were held when the children were 31 and 43 months of age, where anthropometric measurements were made and a non-fasting blood sample was taken and analysed for triglyceride, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol values were calculated using the Friedewald equation. Central obesity was estimated using the ratio of waist circumference:arm circumference (WC:AC).

RESULTS: Complete blood lipid and anthropometric data were available for 385 children at 31 months and 470 children at 43 months. Height was negatively associated with the concentration of triglyceride, and total and LDL cholesterol. There was little evidence for a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood lipids at either 31 or 43 months. The only significant relationship between birthweight and blood lipids was a negative association with HDL (and consequently a positive association with the ratio of total:HDL cholesterol) in boys at 43 months. Adjustment for current height and BMI had little effect on the associations between birthweight and blood lipid concentrations. WC:AC was positively associated with triglycerides and negatively associated with HDL values in boys, and had a quadratic relationship with LDL concentrations among girls. These relationships were unchanged or became stronger on adjustment for current height and body mass index.

CONCLUSION: In the pre-school child, central obesity has a relationship with triglyceride and HDL concentrations that is independent of current height and BMI. We have found no evidence that increasing birthweight is associated with a more favourable blood lipid profile at 31 and 43 months.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the dedicated work of the ALSPAC study team; this includes interviewers, computer technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers and managers. We would particularly like to thank the staff of the Children in Focus research clinics, the laboratory staff responsible for analysing the blood samples, and the Children in Focus parents and children. We would also like to acknowledge the help and advice of Dr Peter Whincup and Professor Jean Golding, and to thank Dr Charles Pennock for his supervision of the lipid analysis. This study has been supported by the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Health Authority NHS Research and Development Programme on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. The ALSPAC study is part of the WHO initiated European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. The Children in Focus sub-study is, however, unique to ALSPAC.

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  1. University of Bristol, Institute of Child Health, Unit of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK

    I Cowin & P Emmett

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  1. I Cowin
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Correspondence to I Cowin.

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Cowin, I., Emmett, P. & The ALSPAC Study Team. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, birthweight and central obesity in pre-school children. Int J Obes 24, 330–339 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801133

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