Background
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a nonspecific, but sensitive marker of systemic immune response. Many studies have suggested that CRP levels are associated with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors not only in adults, but also in children. We assessed the inter-relationships between CRP, obesity, and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean children aged 7 years old. Methods: A total of 126 children (40 overweight and 86 normal weight children) were recruited from seven elementary schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Physical examinations including various obesity parameters were done. Fasting and post-prandial venous blood was withdrawn for the chemistry. The hsCRP was measured by the Nephelometry. Results: The hsCRP was associated with body weight, body fat (%), body mass index (BMI), waist circumferences, hip circumferences and waist/hip ratio (P＜0.05). From the lowest to the highest quartile groups of hsCRP, mean fasting insulin levels (2.7⁑3.1μIU/mL, 2.6⁑2.1μIU/mL, 3.4⁑3.7μIU/mL, and 4.2⁑3.6μIU/mL, respectively)(P＜0.05) and HOMA-IR levels (0.60⁑0.70, 0.59⁑0.49, 0.74⁑0.84, and 0.95⁑0.83, respectively)(P＜0.05) increased. Serum lipid profiles were not associated with the hsCRP levels. Conclusion: In children aged 7 years old, the hsCRP was significantly associated with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2007;28:509-514)

Background
Recently, the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically, but the cause still remains incompletely understood. The goal of this study was to present a direction for treatment and prevention of childhood obesity on the basis of the data of physical activity energy expenditure, inactive time and dietary habits of Korean children. Methods: A total of 56 children were selected from 8 elementary schools in Seoul and Gwacheon-city. Children's physical activity pattern and dietary habits were obtained by questionnaire. The children wore accelerometer on their wrists from Friday to Tuesday over the whole weekend. Then, we calculated the activity energy expenditure using the activity counts recorded on the accelerometer. Results: Neither the physical activity energy expenditure (kcal/kg) nor the activity pattern showed a significant difference between the normal weight group and the overweight group. The overweight children spent more time watching TV and using the computer. The overweight group did not have breakfast and ate much more and faster in terms of dietary habit. Conclusion: This study suggests that bad habituations in diet and increase of inactivity time can play more important role than physical activity in causing overweight in 7-year-old children. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2007;28: 195-203)