Effect of obesity on inflammatory markers and renal functions

Aim: To examine the relationship between inflammation criteria and body mass index in otherwise-healthy obese schoolchildren and to evaluate the effect of obesity on renal functions. Methods: Sixty-five otherwise-healthy obese children (median age 10.8 y, range 7.1-16.5 y; median body mass index 26.8 kg/m(2), range 19.9-38.7 kg/m(2)) and 20 healthy controls (median age 12.4 y, range 10.1-17.1 y; median body mass index 18.8 kg/m(2), range 17.3-23.1 kg/m(2)) were included. Blood and urine samples were taken from every child. Results: Children in the obese and control groups had similar age and sex distributions (p > 0.05). Inflammatory mediators were higher in obese children (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index in the whole study group (r=0.39,p=0.001). A positive correlation was found between body mass index standard deviation and inflammatory mediators and glomerular filtration rate. No significant difference existed regarding protein and microalbumin excretion in the urine. Conclusion: Inflammatory mediators increased significantly in obese children, and the glomerular filtration rate increased as the body mass index increased. To prevent obesity-related complications in adulthood, it is important to take measures to prevent development of obesity during childhood.