Relation among Snack Intake, Obesity Index and Blood Parameters in Obese Elementary-school Children

비만 아동의 간식 섭취와 비만지수 및 혈액성상과의 관련성

This study was designed to evaluate the relationships among snack intake, obesity index, and blood parameters in obese elementary school children. Anthropometric measurements, nutrient intake from meals and snacks, serum cholesterol, glucose, GOT, GPT, and hemoglobin levels were obtained 36 obese elementary students (boys=28, girls=8). The average age, height, weight, % body fat, and obesity index were 11.9 years, 145.5cm, 53.5kg, 45.7%, and 32.4%, respectively. The mean energy intake was 1,818.7 kcal in boys and 1,818.1 kcal in girls. In addition, the energy intake from snacks was 470.4 kcal in boys and 479.4 kcal in girls. The levels of plant fat (p<0.05) and cholesterol (p<0.001) consumed during snacks (1,000 kcal per energy intake) were higher than those consumed during meals. The serum cholesterol, glucose, and hemoglobin levels were 177.4 mg/dL, 90.4 mg/dL, and 14.5 g/dL, respectively. In addition, the levels of serum GOT (p<0.001) and GPT (p<0.05) were higher in boys than in girls. Height was positively correlated with food intake (p<0.05), snack intake (p<0.05), and energy intake from snacks (p<0.05). Based on these results, further studies are needed in order to investigate the relationships among various aspects of snacking and obesity in elementary school children.