The protenía C reactive protein (CRP) is in the blood and if the bilirubin levels are high is an indication of inflammation in the body.

Because the damage is seen in coronary artery disease is caused by inflammation in the arterial wall, CRP can be used as a general marker of risk for the disorder.

The researchers studied children between 1 and 17 years than almost 70% were normal weight, 15% were overweight, 11% were obese and 3.5% were very obese.

In the older age groups, the proportion of those in the obese category of very high CRP levels further increased.

That is, among very obese children between 15 and 17 years 83% had higher levels of CRP compared with 18% of normal weight children.


Ashley Cockrell Skinner, director of the study, explains that "these findings were a surprise. Was detecting a relationship between weight and elevation of inflammatory markers much earlier than we expected."

The obesity-inflammation dangerous association cardiovascular risk is amply demonstrated in adults and children suggested. Confirmed the presence of an inflammatory process in children with overweight, the health consequences would be significant because "could increase the chances of long-term vascular damage," the paper concludes.

This study should help parents understand the need to take seriously the obesity of children.