Insulin resistance in obese adolescents
Li, H-Jung.; Huang, C-Yu.; Lee, H-Chang.; Chen, M-Ren.; Lo, F-Sung.; Lin, C-Hsu.; Wang, A-Mei.; Shih, B-Fu.; Lee, Y-Jinn.
Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica 46(2): 61-66
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1608-8115 PMID: 16302580 Document Number: 592095
The prevalence of obesity in adolescents is increasing rapidly. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. We investigated insulin resistance in 125 obese adolescents aged 12-18 years (68 males, 57 females) and its relationship to acanthosis nigricans [Taiwan; date not given]. Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured and each was expressed as a standard deviation score (SDS) based on national growth standards. Insulin resistance was estimated by using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) score, calculated as fasting insulin ( micro U/ml) x fasting glucose (mmol/l)/22.5. Obese adolescents had significantly greater weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR than did controls with normal weight. Acanthosis nigricans was present in 58.4% of obese adolescents. Fasting insulin levels and BMI-SDS were positively correlated with the degree of acanthosis nigricans (r=0.383, P<0.0001 and r=0.164, P<0.05, respectively). On multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR and BMI-SDS explained 16.8% of the degree of acanthosis nigricans (P<0.0001). Thus, acanthosis nigricans may be a marker of insulin resistance and should be carefully looked for in obese adolescents.