Evaluation of microalbuminuria in obese adolescents

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance. Its effect on renal and cardiovascular diseases is reported in developed countries, but rarely established among adolescents in developing countries. Subjects and methods: A crosssectional study of 846 adolescents selected from 12 secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Obese subjects with Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex on the United States CDC growth chart were selected and studied. Urine samples of subjects without overt proteinuria were tested for microalbuminuria using the micral test strips. Results: Seventy-three of the subjects were obese giving the prevalence of obesity to be 8.6%. Microalbuminuria was present in 23 (35.4%) of the 65 obese subjects without overt proteinuria. The proportional prevalence was higher in females (42.9%), in age group 10-14years (42.2%), in subjects with hypertension (57.1%), and family history of hypertension (50.0%) and diabetes mellitus (37.5%) [p > 0.05]. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of adolescent obesity, and a high prevalence of microalbuminuria among obese adolescents in Port Harcourt. We recommend efforts at reducing obesity as a means of preventing renal disease in adolescents.