Exploring the complex dynamics of BMI, age, and physiological indicators in early adolescents

BMC Pediatr. 2024 Apr 1;24(1):222. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-04680-8.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood biochemical indicators in early adolescence, and to provide ideas for early prevention of diseases and explore possible disease-related predictors.

Methods: 3125 participants aged 10 ∼ 14 years were selected from China from the survey of "China Nutrition and Health Surveillance ( 2016 ∼ 2017 ) ". Employing advanced statistical methods, including generalized linear models, heatmaps, hierarchical clustering, and generalized additive models, the study delved into the associations between BMI and various biochemical indicators.

Results: In early adolescence, indicators including systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, weight, height, BMI, hemoglobin, blood uric acid, serum creatinine, albumin, vitamin A presented increasing trends with the increase of age ( P < 0.05 ), whereas LDL-C, vitamin D, and ferritin showed decreasing trends with the increase of age ( P < 0.05 ). The increase in hemoglobin and blood uric acid levels with age was more pronounced in males compared to females ( P < 0.05 ). BMI was positively correlated with blood glucose, hemoglobin, triglyceride, LDL-C, blood uric acid, serum creatinine, ferritin, transferrin receptor, hs-CRP, total protein, vitamin A ( P < 0.05 ). There was a significant BMI × age interaction in the correlation analysis with LDL-C, transferrin receptor, serum creatinine, and hs-CRP ( P < 0.05 ). BMI was a risk factor for hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome in all age groups ( OR > 1, P < 0.05 ).

Conclusions: High BMI was a risk factor for hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and MetS in early adolescents. With the focus on energy intake beginning in early adolescence, the maintenance of a healthy weight warrants greater attention.

Keywords: Age; Biochemical index; Blood pressure; Body Mass Index; Early adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Creatinine
  • Female
  • Ferritins
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Hypertriglyceridemia*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Male
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Uric Acid
  • Vitamin A

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Uric Acid
  • Creatinine
  • Vitamin A
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Hemoglobins
  • Ferritins
  • Receptors, Transferrin