Evaluation and prevention of type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in obese children and adolescents: a public health intervention in a local health organisation in Rome (Italy) [Un intervento di sanità pubblica per la valutazione e la prevenzione del diabete di tipo 2 e delle malattie cardiovascolari in bambini e adolescenti obesi.]

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of childhood obesity and of its complications is an increasingly important public health priority. During 2002-2003 a network of family paediatricians working in the territory of a local health organisation in Rome (Italy) was created, in order to evaluate the health status of obese children. A preferential diagnostic and therapeutic management workup procedure was then developed for these patients at the Paediatrics department of the "Policlinico Tor Vergata" (PTV) university teaching hospital in Rome (Italy). METHODS: Family paediatricians invited children aged 6-14 years with a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile, to a clinical consultation at PTV where each child then underwent a clinical evaluation (including blood pressure measurement and evaluation of family history of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus) and laboratory testing (including oral glucose tolerance testing-OGTT, measurement of cholesterol and trygliceride levels). The BMI z score and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were also calculated and pubertal stage was assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 168 children, with a mean age of 11 years, were evaluated; 53% were males. The mean BMI z score was 2.43+/-0.45. Forty-four percent of children were found to be hypertensive and 28.3% had a positive family history for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifteen children (9%) were found to have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) while one child was frankly diabetic. Thirty-six children (23.4%) were diagnosed with a metabolic syndrome (MS). Systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with BMI z score and with 2 hour glucose levels. Obese children with either hypertension or a family history of diabetes were significantly more likely to have glucose intolerance or metabolic syndrome (GI, OR= 4.7 ; MS, OR= 6.8) CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of obese children and adolescents develop metabolic complications. The percentage of children with such complications is greater when other risk factors such as hypertension and family history of type 2 diabetes are present. Family paediatricians play a fundamental role in the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child obesity. This study underscores the importance of performing routine evaluations of BMI and blood pressure in children aged 6-14 years, eventually by extending well-child visits to this age group.