Antioxidant Status and the Extent of Health Risks in Obese Korean Children

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine serum antioxidant nutrients and the relationship between serum antioxidants and risks of chronic diseases in obese Korean children Methods: Normal weight Korean school children (0=170), mean age of 11.5$\pm$1.5, and obese (body fat mass > $28\%$) children (0=176), mean age of 11.0$\pm$1.8, were recruited Fat mass ($\%$) was determnined by Bioelectrical Impedance (BEI), and body mass index (BMI) was calculated Fasting blood was collected to measure serum antioxidant nutrients, vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc. Serum lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), high density cholesterol (HDL) and triglyceride (TG), and blood glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPI) were also determined. Differences in serum blood measurements between obese and normal children were assessed by independent t test. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between variables. Results: Blood glucose, GPT, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations were significantly higher among obese boys, compared to normal boys (p<005). Significantly lower concentrations of serum vitamin E, after adjustment for TG and TC, was shown in obese boys (0.26 mg/mg) and obese girls (0.31 mg/mg), compared to normal boys (0.36 mg/mg) and girls (0.38 mg/mg) (p<0.05). Fat mass ($\%$) was negatively con-elated with serum vitamin A and vitamin E. Conclusion: Obese Korean children showed insufficient serum vitamin E concentration and increased risk for diabetes, atherosclerosis, and liver disease. Since lower vitamin E concentration was negatively con-elated with atherogenic index, improved vitamin E status in children may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis later in life.