In this study, we aimed to evaluate potential risk factors in development of atherosclerosis, e.g. hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hyperhomocysteinemia, in obese children, and we emphasize the complications they may face in adulthood. We studied serum biomarkers of early atherosclerosis in 58 obese children aged between 5 to 17 years. The control group consisted of 29 non-obese children. Obese children were divided into two groups as prepubertal and pubertal children. Body Mass Index (BMI) was 29.18±4.27 kg/m² in obese children and 17.92±2.19 kg/m² in the control group. The two groups did not show significant differences in age and gender. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, fasting insulin levels, fasting glucose levels and HOMA-IR index were significantly increased in obese children. Obese children had higher plasma homocysteine levels than the control group (p: 0.013). There was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR index and waist hip ratio (p: 0.033). LDL-C levels and 120th minute glucose levels were significantly higher in pubertal children when compared to the prepubertal group among obese children (p: 0.05, p:0.026). As has been shown before. Many times, childhood obesity seems to contribute to the development and progression of early atherosclerosis, particularly in combination with hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and insulin resistance.

Keywords: Ateroskleroz, çocukluk çağı obesitesi, hiperhomosisteinemi, Atherosclerosis, childhood obesity, hyperhomocysteinemia