Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip
ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the role of inflammation in the relationship between body mass index (BMI)-for-age and insulin resistance among first-grade students in the Gaza Strip.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study conducted between March and April 2023 involved 185 students, aged...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1570803/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849682926459944960 |
|---|---|
| author | Balsam Said Abu Ghazza Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Amany El Afifi |
| author_facet | Balsam Said Abu Ghazza Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Amany El Afifi |
| author_sort | Balsam Said Abu Ghazza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the role of inflammation in the relationship between body mass index (BMI)-for-age and insulin resistance among first-grade students in the Gaza Strip.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study conducted between March and April 2023 involved 185 students, aged six, from five primary schools. Data were collected via structured questionnaires covering demographics, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, including BMI-for-age percentile, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure, were recorded. Biochemical analyses measured inflammatory markers (Hs-CRP, IL-6, adiponectin), fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose, HDL-c, triglycerides, hemoglobin, and HOMA-IR. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.ResultsThe study found that 74.6% of students had normal BMI-for-age, while 14.1% were overweight, 8.1% obese, and 3.2% underweight. BMI categories were significantly associated with socio-economic factors, especially place of residence and paternal education. Paternal employment was linked to insulin resistance. A significant association was found between BMI-for-age and insulin resistance, with higher insulin resistance in overweight and obese children. Waist and hip circumferences were significantly linked to BMI and insulin resistance. Hs-CRP and fasting insulin were significantly associated with insulin resistance (P values > 0.05 for all).ConclusionThe study confirms that childhood obesity is closely associated with both inflammation and insulin resistance. Elevated levels of IL-6, Hs-CRP, and insulin in obese children highlight the metabolic risks of childhood obesity. Socio-economic factors, including paternal education and place of residence, significantly influence BMI-for-age, suggesting the need for socio-economic considerations in obesity prevention efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1208ff9371004fef903ef15a33b44989 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2360 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-1208ff9371004fef903ef15a33b449892025-08-20T03:24:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-06-011310.3389/fped.2025.15708031570803Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza StripBalsam Said Abu Ghazza0Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi1Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi2Amany El Afifi3Master Program of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, PalestineDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, PalestineDepartment of Nutrition, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Palestine, Gaza Strip, PalestineFaculty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, PalestineObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the role of inflammation in the relationship between body mass index (BMI)-for-age and insulin resistance among first-grade students in the Gaza Strip.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study conducted between March and April 2023 involved 185 students, aged six, from five primary schools. Data were collected via structured questionnaires covering demographics, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, including BMI-for-age percentile, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure, were recorded. Biochemical analyses measured inflammatory markers (Hs-CRP, IL-6, adiponectin), fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose, HDL-c, triglycerides, hemoglobin, and HOMA-IR. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.ResultsThe study found that 74.6% of students had normal BMI-for-age, while 14.1% were overweight, 8.1% obese, and 3.2% underweight. BMI categories were significantly associated with socio-economic factors, especially place of residence and paternal education. Paternal employment was linked to insulin resistance. A significant association was found between BMI-for-age and insulin resistance, with higher insulin resistance in overweight and obese children. Waist and hip circumferences were significantly linked to BMI and insulin resistance. Hs-CRP and fasting insulin were significantly associated with insulin resistance (P values > 0.05 for all).ConclusionThe study confirms that childhood obesity is closely associated with both inflammation and insulin resistance. Elevated levels of IL-6, Hs-CRP, and insulin in obese children highlight the metabolic risks of childhood obesity. Socio-economic factors, including paternal education and place of residence, significantly influence BMI-for-age, suggesting the need for socio-economic considerations in obesity prevention efforts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1570803/fullbody mass indexchildrenGaza Stripinflammationinsulin resistance |
| spellingShingle | Balsam Said Abu Ghazza Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Amany El Afifi Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip Frontiers in Pediatrics body mass index children Gaza Strip inflammation insulin resistance |
| title | Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip |
| title_full | Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip |
| title_short | Uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children: examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the Gaza Strip |
| title_sort | uncovering the inflammatory profile of obese children examining the link between body mass index for age and insulin resistance in the gaza strip |
| topic | body mass index children Gaza Strip inflammation insulin resistance |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1570803/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT balsamsaidabughazza uncoveringtheinflammatoryprofileofobesechildrenexaminingthelinkbetweenbodymassindexforageandinsulinresistanceinthegazastrip AT abdelhamidelbilbeisi uncoveringtheinflammatoryprofileofobesechildrenexaminingthelinkbetweenbodymassindexforageandinsulinresistanceinthegazastrip AT abdelhamidelbilbeisi uncoveringtheinflammatoryprofileofobesechildrenexaminingthelinkbetweenbodymassindexforageandinsulinresistanceinthegazastrip AT amanyelafifi uncoveringtheinflammatoryprofileofobesechildrenexaminingthelinkbetweenbodymassindexforageandinsulinresistanceinthegazastrip |