Myocardial Performance Index and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children with Metabolically Healthy and Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity

Tang N. C., Oztarhan K., BORNAUN H., Dogan S., Civilibal A. M.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL RESEARCH IN PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY, vol.18, no.3, pp.402-409, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 18 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2025.2025-5-4
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL RESEARCH IN PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Page Numbers: pp.402-409
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: To compare the myocardial performance index (MPI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) of children who are metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) with children without obesity. Methods: This study included obese patients between 6 and 17 years of age and age-and gender-matched healthy children. Two groups of obese patients were investigated: MUO and MHO. Results: There were 62 obese (MUO=30; MHO=32) and 30 healthy controls included. Compared to controls, the MPI score and cIMT of both obese groups were significantly larger (p=0.004 and p=0.003, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in MPI and cIMT between the MUO and MHO groups. Moreover, there were independent associations between higher MPI and body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) ((3=0.312, p=0.002) and between higher cIMT and waist circumference-SDS (WC-SDS) ((3=0.371, p=0.003). Conclusion: The primary outcome of the study indicated that while both MPI and cIMT values were elevated in obese children compared to non-obese controls, there was no significant difference between MUO and MHO groups. This suggests that obesity itself, irrespective of metabolic health, is associated with increased cardiovascular risks. BMI-SDS and WC-SDS were useful markers for identifying children at cardiovascular risk in this cohort.