Prevalence of Dyslipidemia in Thai Schoolchildren
Sanguansak Rerksuppaphol MD*, Lakkana Rerksuppaphol MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the prevalence and risk factor of dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional study of 348 schoolchildren aged 6-17.8 years in Nakorn Nayok province, Thailand,
between May and June 2009 was conducted. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured from a 10-hour fasting blood.
Dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia) was defined according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) guidelines. Demographic and anthropometric data were recorded. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used
to compare the prevalence of dyslipidemia.
Results : The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were 1.2% and 10.6%, respectively, with none of
the children who simultaneously had high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Overweight, obesity and thinness were defined
in 34 (9.8%), 34 (9.8%) and 25 (7.2%) children, respectively. Odds ratio of having dyslipidemia in overweight and/or obese
children compared to non-obese children was 4.0 (95% CI 2.0-8.0). Odd ratios of having dyslipidemia were not significant
differences by other risk factors such as gender [1.2 (0.6-2.2)], age [1.3 (0.7-2.5)], hypertension [0.9 (0.2-4.2)], family
history of dyslipidemia [2.4 (0.6-8.0)], family history of diabetes mellitus [0.5 (0.1-2.1)], presence of a smoker in the family
[1.5 (0.8-3.1)] and different ABO blood types.
Conclusion : The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren was 11.8%. Overweight and/or obesity were the
sole risk factor for dyslipidemia in Thai schoolchildren aged 6-17.8 years.
Keywords : Dyslipidemia, Children, Thai, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Cardiovascular disease
