Metabolic, immunological and life style factors associated with different phenotypes of obesity and their correlation with weight changes in children in Latvia

This study will be the first to implement a new consensus-based definition of metabolically healthy (MHO) and unhealthy obesity (MUO) phenotypes in children in Latvia, and will determine the prevalence as well as anthropometric and cardiometabolic characteristics of different phenotypes. It will include 160 children with obesity, aged from 10 to 18 years. Immunmetabolic inflammation mediated by altered adipokines secretion and changes in immune cells in conjunction with lifestyle and other risk factors will be analysed as predictors of the obesity phenotype in children. After a follow-up period of 6 months, these risk factors will be evaluated in association with weight changes occurring during this period. As obesity in the pediatric population has reached a pandemic extent, this study will generate a number of potentially impactful scientific results on the factors necessary to reach and maintain MHO. Different public activities for children, their parents, and teachers will be organized to disseminate the study results and raise awareness of risk factors for obesity in children. For professionals of all healthcare levels, clinical algorithms and clinical pathways will be created to unify care and prevention. Data obtained in this study will be published in high-impact journals and will provide the basis for further research cooperation and projects.