BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with coronary artery disease in adults. However, this association has not been thoroughly explored in cases of adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between CRP and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents. METHODS: Eighty-four adolescents (12.6 ± 1.3 years) of both genders were divided into the following groups: Normal weight (n = 28), Overweight (n = 28), and Obese (n = 28), according to body mass index (BMI). CRP levels (ultrasensitive ELISA), the lipid profile, and anti-oxLDL antibody levels (ELISA) were determined after a 12-hour fast. RESULTS: The groups were similar in age (p = 0.13) and gender (p = 0.83). Total cholesterol, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C showed significant differences between Normal weight and Obese groups. There was no significant variation in anti-oxLDL levels. CRP values were different among the three groups (p < 0.01). CRP levels showed a significant association with BMI (β = 2.533), AC (β = 2.645), WC (β = 2.945), TC (β = 0.006), LDL-C (β = 0.006), and anti-oxLDL antibodies (β = 0.383), and a negative association with HDL-C (β = -0.017). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that CRP is significantly associated with markers of cardiovascular risk in adolescents.
C-reactive protein; adolescent; nutritional status; risk factors; overweight; obesity
