Study of Growth Hormone and Cortisol in Nutritionally Stunted and Obese School Age Children

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide even in developing countries that have rationally experienced high rates of malnutrition. Obesity is prevalent across all economic levels and age groups due to reduced physical activity and consumption of high fat diets. Childhood obesity can lead to life threatening condition including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems concern psychological disorders. This study aimed to investigated the relationship between stunted growth and overweight status for children between 9-11 years. The relation between chronic malnutrition (in the form of stunted growth) and obesity and level of growth hormone and cortisol).Subject and methods: The target population was school age children both sexes, 9-11 years in Giza Governorate. Children were screened for weight, height and BMI was calculated, dietary history was taken in addition to biochemical investigation including level of growth hormone, plasma cortisol, lipid profile and then data were analyzed using SPSS/PC. Results: Obesity was associated with an observe lipid profile there were significantly higher cholesterol, triglyceride, growth hormona, cortisol levels among obese than non obese children. On the contrary HDL-C was statistically significantly lower among obese children than non-obese one growth hormone was also significantly higher among obese than non-obese children. Cortisol level was higher among obese children than non-obese ones. Family back grounds has an impact on incidence of obesity. Obese children was breakfast skippers, had consume more fast foods and ate less fresh foods. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate negative effect of obesity on lipid profile and cortisol, association of obesity and chronic malnutrition will super add to cardiovascular risk factor among obese children results of this study may help policy markers in designing accurate intervention programs