The prevalence of obesity in children with CHD: what has changed over the past decade in Southwestern Ontario?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of obesity and investigate any changes in body mass index in children with CHD compared to age-matched healthy controls, in Southwestern Ontario.

METHODS

The body mass index z-scores of 1259 children (aged 2-18) with CHD were compared with 2037 healthy controls. The body mass index z-scores of children who presented to our paediatric cardiology outpatient clinic from 2018 to 2021 were compared with previously collected data from 2008 to 2010. A longitudinal analysis of patients with data in both cohorts was also completed.

RESULTS

In total, 21.4% of patients with CHD and 26.6% of healthy controls were found to be overweight or obese (p < 0.001). The 2018-2021 cohort of CHD patients and controls had significantly higher body mass index z-scores compared to the 2008-2010 cohort (p < 0.001). Longitudinal analysis showed that body mass index z-scores significantly increased over time for CHD patients with data in both cohorts (2018-2021: M = 0.59, SD = 1.26; 2008-2010: M = -0.04, SD = 1.05; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of obesity in all children, irrespective of CHD, is rising. The coexistence of obesity and CHD may pose additional cardiovascular risks and complications.