Plasma C-reactive protein concentrations in relation to 5-year body weight change among children: the Taipei Children Heart Study

OBJECTIVE: C-reactive protein (CRP), a nonspecific inflammatory marker, may be associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relation between plasma CRP levels and 5-y body weight and body mass index (BMI) change among school children in Taiwan. METHOD: In 1995, we conducted an epidemiological survey to evaluate the anthropometric characteristics and CVD risk factors among 1500, aged 12-15 y, school children in Taipei. We measured plasma high sensitivity CRP levels using nephelometric method. In 2000, we followed these children to evaluate their changes in body height, weight and BMI during 5 y. RESULTS: In general, boys were taller, heavier and had higher BMI than girls at the baseline (1995) and at the 5-y follow-up (2000). Baseline plasma CRP levels were positively correlated with body weight and BMI in both 1995 and 2000. However, plasma CRP levels were negatively correlated with 5-y BMI change in both genders. We further divided the children into three subgroups based on their baseline CRP levels (nondetected, 0.188-1.00 and > 1.0 mg/dl). Children in the higher plasma CRP levels (> 1.0 mg/dl) were heavier and had higher BMI (both in 1995 and 2000) than those children with noncletected CRP levels. However, children with higher CRIP subgroup had a lower 5-y increasing of BMI and there was even a decrease of BMI levels among the higher CRIP girls. CONCLUSION: From this prospective study, we found that baseline plasma CRP levels were positively correlated with the baseline and the 5-y follow-up body weight and BMI in both genders. However, plasma CRIP levels may not be a good predictor of 5-y body weight and BMI changes among children in Taiwan.