OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT AS EARLY PREDICTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Relevance. Childhood overweight and obesity remain among the most pressing issues in pediatrics and public health. The rising prevalence of excess body weight in children is associated with lifestyle changes, reduced physical activity, and dietary habits. Pediatric obesity is linked not only to metabolic disorders but also to the early onset of cardiovascular abnormalities. Elevated body mass index (BMI) correlates with arterial hypertension and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, which may serve as early predictors of cardiovascular diseases. Studying these associations in school-aged children is essential for developing preventive strategies. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of overweight and obesity on blood pressure and electrocardiographic parameters in 7-year-old children. Materials and methods of the study. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 120 children aged 7 years. Participants were divided into three groups: normal BMI (n=67), overweight (n=29), and obese (n=24). Anthropometric measurements were performed according to WHO standards, BMI and SDS were calculated, and arterial blood pressure was measured three times to determine systolic and diastolic values. Standard 12-lead ECG was performed for all participants. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney test, and correlation analysis (Pearson and Spearman). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Research results. Children with obesity demonstrated significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with children of normal weight (p<0.01). ECG analysis revealed that the frequency of functional cardiac abnormalities increased proportionally with higher BMI: 40.3% in normal-weight children versus 70.8% in obese children. The most common findings included early repolarization syndrome, sinus tachycardia, and nonspecific intraventricular conduction disturbances. A positive correlation was found between BMI and blood pressure (r=0.42; p<0.01), as well as between BMI and functional ECG abnormalities (r=0.36; p<0.05). Conclusion. Overweight and obesity in early school-aged children are associated with increased arterial blood pressure and a higher prevalence of functional ECG changes, which may serve as early predictors of cardiovascular pathology. These findings highlight the importance of routine monitoring of cardiovascular parameters in overweight children and emphasize the need for comprehensive preventive measures, including dietary modification and increased physical activity, starting from early childhood.