Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics at enrolment of children and adolescents referred to an obesity programme and
to determine how the prevalence of comorbidities differed in Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children and how this differed from 2012-2014 to 2021-2024.
Methods: Participants were residents of a semi-rural region of New Zealand (NZ). Eligibility was defined by a body mass index (BMI) of ≥98th percentile
or >91st centile with weight-related comorbidities. Fasting blood, medical and physical assessments were obtained.
Results: During the recruitment period from January 2021 to December 2024 participants (265), aged 3.8–15.8 years, undertook assessment. Average
BMI standard deviation score was 3.04 (compared to 3.09 in 2012-2014). The majority of participants were of either Māori (NZ’s indigenous people (41%), 45% in 2012-2014, or NZ European (47%) ethnicity, 45% 2012-2014.
Māori participants were more likely than NZ Europeans to have acanthosis nigricans on examination (32% vs. 12%), elevated fasting Insulin (88% vs 77%), abnormal liver function (66% vs 62%), however low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was less likely for Māori vs NZE (7% vs 18%, respectively) and high serum triglyceride (TG) concentration (47% vs. 75%, respectively). This differed from 2012-2014 where low serum HDL for Māori vs NZE was 27% vs 14% , respectively and serum TG was 38% vs 24%.
Conclusion: The unique aspect of this study was the ability to recruit high levels of Māori participants, indicating a high level of acceptability for these target groups. Comorbidities were prevalent in this cohort of overweight/obese school-aged children. While there were some differences in comorbidity prevalence between Māori and NZ Europeans, the overall clinical picture in our cohort, irrespective of ethnicity, was of concern.