Sixty six adolescents, 36 obese (25F/13M) and 28 non-obese (23F/5M), matched for sex, age, race, education level and Tanner stage of sexual maturation were submitted to a demographical inquire, clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis. The waist-to-hip ratio (0.86±0.08 vs. 0.74±0.04; p< 0.01) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (120.2±12.1 vs. 105.4±9.1 mmHg; p< 0.01 and 74.3±7.7 vs. 65.5±9.4mmHg; p< 0.01), were higher in the obese group as compared to the non-obese group. Acanthosis nigricans predominated in the obese group (n= 24; 63.5%). levels of HDL-cholesterol were lower in obese adolescents (36.5±10.5 vs. 43.0±9.2 mg/dl; p< 0.05), whereas levels of triglycerides and uric acid were higher (124.6±80.0 vs. 74.2±31.4mg/dl; p< 0.01 and 5.8±1,4 vs, 4.5±1.0mg/dl; p< 0,01), respectively. No differences were found in cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and basal glucose between the two groups, Obese adolescents sought for treatment because of concern about their health (n= 15, 39.5%). Most of them had already used antiobesity drugs in the past. We conclude that obesity in adolescence seems to be associated with a clinical and metabolic profile of insulin resistance with acanthosis nigricans and higher levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, trygliceride and uric acid as well as low levels of HDL-cholesterol.
Obesity; Adolescent; Cholesterol; Tryglicerides; Uric acid; Blood pressure
