Hypercholesterolemia in Thai primary school children: relation to maternal and nutritional factors.

Background: There is evidence to show that atherosclerosis can occur in young children and that elevated total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations are risk factors for atherosclerosis. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the influence of maternal and nutritional factors on blood cholesterol in primary school children.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-five population-based mother-child pairs (obese child-overweight mother pairs, n = 60; obese child-normal-weight mother pairs, n = 48; wasted child-overweight mother pairs, n = 37; normal-weight child-normal-weight mother pairs, n = 50), were enrolled in the study. Various anthropometric parameters were measured and serum lipids of subjects were further determined. Biological data and children's eating behavior were obtained from the mothers through interviews.

Results: Hypercholesterolemia was found in 64.6-65% of obese children, 24.3% of wasted children and in 56% of the normal-weight children; whereas the proportion of children in all groups who had normal blood cholesterol levels was in the lower range. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that mother's serum cholesterol (odds ratio [OR], 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-4.78), child obesity defined by weight-for-height Z-score > +2SD (OR, 2.56; 95%CI: 1.33-4.98), and child's energy intake >/=75th percentile (OR, 2.59; 95%CI: 1.01-6.66) were the significant factors associated with hypercholesterolemia in children.

Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia in school children is associated with familial factor, bodyweight and nutrient intake. Elevated blood cholesterol was also found in some of the normal-weight and wasted children. Effective family-based intervention programs are urgently needed to modify risk factors predisposing to coronary heart disease.