Prevalence of dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence and risk factor of dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren. MATERIAL AND METHOD A cross section- study of 348 schoolchildren aged 6-17.8 years in Nakork Nayok province, Thailand between May and June 2009 was conducted. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured from a 10-hour fasting blood. Dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia) was defined according to the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP) guidelines. Demographic and anthropometric data were recorded. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to compare the prevalence of dyslipidemia. RESULTS The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were 1.2% and 10.6%, respectively, with none of the children who simultaneously had high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Overweight, obesity and thinness were defined in 34 (9.8%), 34 (9.8%) and 25 (7.2%) children, respectively. Odds ratio ofhaving dyslipidemia in overweight and/or obese children compared to non-obese children was 4.0 (95% CI 2.0-8.0). Odd ratios ofhaving dyslipidemia were not significant differences by other risk factors such as gender [1.2 (0.6-2.2)], age [1.3 (0.7-2.5)], hypertension [0.9 (0.2-4.2)], family history of dyslipidemia [2.4 (0.6-8.0)], family history of diabetes mellitus [0.5 (0.1-2.1)], presence ofa smoker in the family [1.5 (0.8-3.1)] and differentABO blood types. CONCLUSION The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren was 11.8%. Overweight and/or obesity were the sole risk factor for dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren aged 6-17.8 years.