Methods. The study evaluated 98 sex matched children aged 4 to 16 years that were equally distributed in asymptomatic obese or overweight and healthy children groups. All the participants were free of any heart diseases. Arterial stiffness indices were determined using two-dimensional echocardiography.

Results. The mean ages in the obese and healthy children were 10.40±2.50 years and 10.06±1.53 years, respectively. Aortic strain was significantly higher in obese children (20.70±5.04%), compared to healthy (7.06±3.77%) and overweight children (18.59±8.08%, p<0.001). Aortic distensibility (AD) was significantly higher in obese children (0.010±0.005 cm²dyn-1x10-6), compared to healthy (0.0036±0.004 cm²dyn-1x10^-6) and overweight children (0.009±0.005 cm²dyn-1x10^-6, p<0.001). Aortic strain beta (ASβ) index, was significantly higher in healthy children (9.26±6.17). Pressure-strain elastic modulus (PSEM) was significantly higher in healthy children (7.52±4.76 kPa). Systolic blood pressure increased with body mass index (BMI) significantly (p<0.001) but diastolic blood pressure did not change (p=0.143). BMI had significant effect on arterial stiffness (AS) (β=0.732, p<0.001), AD (β=0.636, p<0.001), ASβ index (β=-0.573, p<0.001) and PSEM (β=-0.578, p<0.001). Age had significant effect on systolic diameter of the aorta (β=0.340, p<0.001) and diastolic diameter of the aorta (β=0.407, p<0.001).

Conclusions. We concluded that aortic strain and aortic distensibility increased in obese children when aortic strain beta index and PSEM decreased. This result suggests that, as atrial stiffness is a predictor for future heart diseases, dietary treatment for children with overweight or obese status is important. Keywords : aortic elasticity, obese, overweight, children