Korean J Fam Med.  2011 Mar;32(3):182-188. 10.4082/kjfm.2011.32.3.182.

The Relationship between Serum Gamma-glutamyltransferase Level and Overweight in Korean Urban Children

• Cho YG
• Park KH
• Kim CW
• Hur YI

• KMID: 2304304
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2011.32.3.182

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, it has been reported that gamma-glumyltransferase (GGT) is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors including overweight in adults. However, there are few studies on the relationship between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors in children. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum GGT level and overweight in Korean urban children.
METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional study using data on 390 4th grade students of elementary schools in Gunpo, Korea. Children were divided into 4 groups according to gender-specific quartiles of serum GGT level. Body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage were quantified as adiposity indices.
RESULTS
All adiposity indices in children of the highest GGT level quartile were higher than those in children of the lowest quartile. Adjusted odd ratios on overweight of the highest quartile of GGT level compared to the lowest quartile were 14.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.43 to 46.83) in boys and 2.94 (95% CI, 1.06 to 8.16) in girls.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that high serum GGT level is related with overweight in Korean urban children and this relationship is stronger in boys compared to girls.

Keyword

Child; Overweight; Gamma-glutamyltransferase; Oxidative stress

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Adiposity
Adult
Body Mass Index
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
gamma-Glutamyltransferase
Humans
Korea
Overweight
Oxidative Stress
Risk Factors
Waist Circumference
gamma-Glutamyltransferase