DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i05.005

Pages: 410-416

Almost all studies on lipid changes have been conducted in adults. However, epidemiological studies have shown that childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature mortality in adulthood, due to higher rates of cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the lipid profile of obese children and to identify the prevalence of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted in Abidjan involving 64 children aged 5 to 15 years, from several schools, divided into 31 obese subjects and 33 normal-weight subjects. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, abdominal circumference, and BMI were taken. Blood samples were used to determine concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Weight, waist circumference, abdominal circumference, and BMI were significantly higher in obese children compared to normal-weight children (p < 0.05). The prevalence of obesity was higher among girls than among boys. The lipid levels observed in obese children were, for the most part, significantly higher than those in normal-weight children: total cholesterol, 65.6% versus 0%; LDL cholesterol, 65.4% versus 0%; triglycerides, 56.2% versus 15.6%. In contrast, HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in 59.4% of obese children, while no normal-weight child had low HDL levels. These results underscore the need to strengthen the management of obese children in order to prevent potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adulthood.