ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Obesity
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1570803
This article is part of the Research TopicCardiovascular Anthropometry For Large Scale Population Studies Volume IIView all 4 articles
Uncovering the Inflammatory Profile of Obese Children: Examining the Link Between Body Mass Index for Age and Insulin Resistance in the Gaza Strip
Provisionally accepted
- 1Al-Azhar University – Gaza, Gaza City, Palestine
- 2University of Palestine, Al-Zahra, Palestine
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Objective: This 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.A 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.The 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).The 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.
Keywords: Body Mass Index, Children, Gaza Strip, Inflammation, Insulin Resistance
Received: 06 Feb 2025; Accepted: 10 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Abu Ghazza, El Bilbeisi and El Afifi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi, University of Palestine, Al-Zahra, Palestine
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