A study on the factors influencing insulin resistance in children and adolescents
Li, Y.; Sun, C-Hao.; Wen, Y.; Cui, W-Xiu.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 38(4): 234-236
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9624 PMID: 15312580 Document Number: 582894
Objective To explore the factors influencing insulin resistance in children with different nutritional status during pubertal development. Methods Three hundred children with simple obese aged 7 to 17 years, and 300 normal healthy children and 300 children with malnutrition, matched for age ( +/- 3 months) and height ( +/- 2 cm), were selected. Fasting serum levels of leptin, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured for them. Results Levels of fasting serum insulin in obese children, except for boys at Tanner stage I and girls at Tanner stage II, were higher than those in normal and malnutrition children ( P < 0.01). Average serum level of leptin in obese boys and girls at varied Tanner stages was higher than that in normal children, and higher in normal children than that in children with malnutrution ( P < 0. 01). Serum level of TG in obese children ( ( 1. 53 +/- 0. 13) mmol/L) was higher than that in normal ones ( (1. 12 +/- 0. 10) mmol/L) and in children with malnutrition ( (1.03 +/- 0. 09) mmol/ L). There was no significant difference in levels of fasting blood glucose and other blood lipids between the three groups of children. Insulin sensitivity decreased with pubertal development and its index reversely correlated with Tanner stage and serum level of leptin (r = - 0. 27 and - 0. 36, respectively, P < 0. 01). Conclusion Obesity (BMI), serum level of leptin and pubertal development were independent risk factors for insulin resistance in children aged 7 to 17 years.