Table 3.
Mean differences in lipid concentrations
| Parameter | No of studies | No of participants | Mean difference (99% CI), random effects model | Test for heterogeneity* | Test for overall effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol (mmol/L) | |||||
| Obese v normal weight | |||||
| All | 9 | 5072 | 0.15 (0.04 to 0.25) | χ2=8.31, I2=4 | Z=3.67, P<0.001 |
| Girls | 3 | 2213 | 0.31 (0.08 to 0.54) | χ2=3.65, I2=45 | Z=3.44, P<0.001 |
| Boys | 3 | 2557 | 0.14 (−0.11 to 0.39) | χ2=5.95, I2=66 | Z=1.49, P=0.14 |
| Overweight v normal weight | |||||
| All | 5 | 5949 | 0.02 (−0.21 to 0.17) | χ2=17.16, I2=77 | Z=0.29, P=0.77 |
| LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | |||||
| Obese v normal weight | |||||
| All | 7 | 4773 | 0.18 (0.09 to 0.26) | χ2=5.62, I2=0 | Z=5.27, P<0.001 |
| Overweight v normal weight | |||||
| All | 3 | 5036 | −0.02 (−0.41 to 0.37) | χ2=18.55, I2=89 | Z=0.12, P=0.91 |
| HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | |||||
| Obese v normal weight | |||||
| All | 8 | 4915 | −0.22 (−0.39 to −0.06) | χ2=61.82, I2=89 | Z=3.60, P<0.001 |
| Girls | 2 | 2153 | −0.10 (−0.66 to 0.47) | χ2=29.07, I2=97 | Z=0.44, P=0.66 |
| Boys | 2 | 2470 | −0.29 (−0.34 to −0.24) | χ2=25, I2=96 | Z=0.60, P=0.55 |
| Overweight v normal weight | |||||
| All | 5 | 5752 | −0.17 (−0.22 to −0.13) | χ2=4.68, I2=15 | Z=10.63, P<0.001 |
| Triglycerides (mmol/L) | |||||
| Obese v normal weight | |||||
| All | 10 | 5138 | 0.26 (0.13 to 0.39) | χ2=42.25, I2=79 | Z=5.08, P<0.001 |
| Girls | 3 | 2213 | 0.28 (0.04 to 0.51) | χ2=15.12, I2=87 | Z=3.06, P=0.002 |
| Boys | 3 | 2557 | 0.30 (0.19 to 0.41) | χ2=3.06, I2=35 | Z=7.03, P<0.001 |
| Overweight v normal weight | |||||
| All | 5 | 6515 | 0.21 (0.14 to 0.27) | χ2=10.50, I2=62 | Z=8.01, P<0.001 |
*Data for I2 values are percentages.