Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2017 Sep;22(3):158-163. 10.6065/apem.2017.22.3.158.

The triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in overweight Korean children and adolescents

• Yoo DY
• Kang YS
• Kwon EB
• Yoo EG

• KMID: 2396134
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2017.22.3.158

Abstract

PURPOSE
The triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has recently been reported as a biomarker of cardiometabolic risk in obese children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to describe the TG/HDL-C ratio and related factors in overweight and normal weight Korean children and to evaluate whether the high TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents.
METHODS
Data from 255 overweight (aged 8.7±2.0 years) and 514 normal weight (aged 8.9±1.8 years) children and adolescents were evaluated. Glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and TG levels were measured after overnight fasting, and the TG/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL-C and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated.
RESULTS
The TG/HDL-C ratio was higher in overweight group compared to normal weight group (P < 0.001). Among overweight children and adolescents, alanine aminotransferase (P=0.018), non-HDL-C (P < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (P=0.004) were different between the TG/HDL-C ratio tertile groups. The prevalence of elevated HOMA-IR was increased with increasing TG/HDL-C ratio tertiles (P for trend=0.003). On regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the BMI (β=0.402, P=0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio (β=0.251, P=0.014) were independently associated with HOMA-IR (adjusted R2=0.324). The TG/HDL-C ratio of 2.0 or more showed higher sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (72.9%), when compared to TC (≥200 mg/dL), non-HDL-C (≥145 mg/dL), and LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) for identifying overweight children with elevated HOMA-IR.
CONCLUSION
The TG/HDL-C ratio is independently associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents, and it can be useful in identifying those at higher cardiometabolic risk.

Keyword

Dyslipidemia; Obesity; Hypertriglyceridemia; Insulin resistance; Child; Adolescent

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Alanine Transaminase
Child*
Cholesterol*
Dyslipidemias
Fasting
Glucose
Homeostasis
Humans
Hypertriglyceridemia
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Lipoproteins*
Obesity
Overweight*
Prevalence
Sensitivity and Specificity
Alanine Transaminase
Cholesterol
Glucose
Insulin
Lipoproteins

Reference

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