Some trace elements and its relation to obesity among a sample of Egyptian children and adolescents

Abstract EN

The threat of worldwide obesity in children is a reality and has become pandemic.

Previously a concern of only developed countries, rapid, escalating rates of overweight children now dominate the public health concerns of middle- and lowincome nations as well.

In Egypt the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has reached 20.5%.

BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for children.

The BMI of children changes with age and differs between the sexes, so must be considered in an age- and sex-specific way.

Consequent to abnormal metabolism, micronutrient deficiencies are common in obese individuals across all age groups.

Out of the trace elements, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc are the most crucial cations required.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess some trace elements among obese children and adolescents and to detect correlation between each of zinc, copper, iron, magnesium and anthropometric measures of the obese children and adolescents.

Methodology: This study was conducted on 40 obese children and adolescents who were attending Pediatric Obesity Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University during the period from September 2011 to April 2012.

Patients were compared to 40 healthy; age-, sex- and pubertal stage- matched children and adolescents serving as controls.

Full history taking and full clinical examination were done.

Blood samples were taken for measurement of sera level of Copper, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc.

Results: Studying BMI SDS as risk factor for zinc, iron and magnesium deficiencies and elevated serum copper was done.

A high BMI SDS was a significant risk factor for zinc deficiency and iron deficiency (p≤ 0.05), while it was highly statistically significant for magnesium deficiency and elevated serum copper level (p≤ 0.001).

Conclusion: All trace elements were significantly lower among obese cases than normal controls except for copper which was significantly higher among cases than controls.

Also A high BMI SDS was a significant risk factor for zinc deficiency and iron deficiency, while it was highly statistically significant for magnesium deficiency and elevated serum copper level.