Prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in overweight and obese children aged 5 to 15 years and their association with triglycerides, blood pressure, ALT and acanthosis nigricans: a single centre cross-sectional study

Akhil Ijjada; Lokeswar Balleda; Sravn Lolla; T. Chandrasekhara Reddy

doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20261899

Authors

Akhil Ijjada Sri Ramachandra Children’s and Dental Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Lokeswar Balleda Sri Ramachandra Children’s and Dental Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Sravn Lolla Sri Ramachandra Children’s and Dental Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
T. Chandrasekhara Reddy Sri Ramachandra Children’s and Dental Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20261899

Keywords:

Obesity, Prediabetes, Overweight, Triglycerides, Blood pressure, ALT, Acanthosis nigricans

Abstract

Background: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity has led to an increasing burden of metabolic disorders, including prediabetes and diabetes. Early identification of metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of long-term complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 141 children, classified as overweight or obese using BMI percentiles. Anthropometric data, blood pressure and presence of acanthosis nigricans were recorded. Laboratory tests included fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, serum triglycerides and ALT. Statistical analysis evaluated prevalence and associations with glycemic status.

Results: Of the children,58.9% were males; 71.6% were obese and 28.4% overweight. Glycaemic distribution was 24.1% non-diabetic, 69.5% prediabetic and 6.4% diabetic. Prediabetes was most common in both overweight (62.5%) and obese (72.3%) groups. Among overweight children, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly associated with glycaemic status (p=0.022); all diabetics had SBP in the 90-95th percentile. In obese children, SBP differences were not significant. Triglyceride abnormalities were significant in obese children (p=0.0001), especially in diabetics (100%) and prediabetics (43.8%), with the highest mean level in diabetics (182.7±33.1 mg/dl; p=0.023). ALT levels showed no significant association in either group (p=0.782 in overweight, p=0.399 in obese). Acanthosis nigricans was significantly more common in obese children (p=0.031), seen in 93.2% of prediabetics and 100% of diabetics.

Conclusions: Prediabetes was highly prevalent (69.5%) among overweight and obese children. Elevated SBP was linked to diabetes in overweight children, while triglyceride abnormalities were prominent in obese diabetics. Acanthosis nigricans emerged as a strong clinical marker of insulin resistance. These findings highlight the need for early detection, targeted lifestyle interventions and public health strategies, with longitudinal studies essential to confirm associations and evaluate interventions.

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