The impact of the obesity epidemic on cardiovascular health in young people is of increasing concern. However, data on secular trends in CVD indicators are outdated and mixed.
This study compared lipid profiles and insulin of 9-10 year olds in 2008 (n = 605) and 1999 (n = 779). Data were drawn from two population-based samples of youth: the 1999 Québec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey and the 2008 Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.
Mean body mass index (BMI) Z-scores were higher in 2008 than in 1999 in both boys (0.37 vs 0.12, p = 0.004) and girls (0.32 vs 0.05, p = 0.0004). After adjusting for maturity stage, height, BMI Z-score, age and household income, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 0.12 mmol/L (p