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Leptin and total cholesterol are predictors of weight gain in pre-pubertal children
S E Byrnes1, L A Baur, M Bermingham
1Department of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown NSW, Australia.
Insights
Plasma leptin and total cholesterol levels in pre-pubertal children can predict future weight gain. These easily measured biomarkers may help identify children at risk of obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Identifying predictive markers for excessive weight gain in pre-pubertal children is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine which biochemical markers predict excessive weight gain in pre-pubertal children over a 12-month period.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-nine healthy pre-pubertal children (ages 6.3-9.8 years) were assessed anthropometrically and biochemically at baseline.
- Height and weight were measured at baseline, 6 months (n=52), and 12 months (n=37).
- Plasma levels of leptin, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were analyzed.
Main Results:
- After 12 months, a significant negative correlation was found between BMI z-score change and initial plasma leptin levels (r=-0.35, P=0.048), which strengthened when adjusted for body fat (r=-0.46, P=0.009).
- A significant positive relationship was observed between plasma total cholesterol and BMI z-score change (r=0.38, P=0.03), which remained consistent after body fat adjustment.
- No significant correlations were found between weight change and plasma insulin, insulin:glucose ratio, HDL cholesterol, or triglyceride levels at either 6 or 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Plasma leptin and total cholesterol are significant predictors of weight gain over 12 months in pre-pubertal children.
- These readily measurable biochemical indices may aid in identifying children at risk of developing obesity.
- These findings suggest a potential clinical tool for early obesity risk assessment in pediatric populations.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify specifically which biochemical indices predict excessive weight gain over time in a cohort of pre-pubertal children.
Subjects:
Fifty nine healthy pre-pubertal children (age: 6.3-9.8y).
Measurements:
Children were defined anthropometrically and biochemically at baseline. Height and weight measurements were then repeated after six (n=52) and 12 months (n=37).
Results:
Weight change after six months (defined by a change in body mass index (BMI) z-score from baseline) demonstrated no correlation with fasting plasma levels of leptin, insulin, insulin:glucose (IG) ratio, cholesterol, triglyceride or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. However, after 12 months there was a significant negative correlation between BMI z-score change and initial plasma leptin (r=-0.35, P=0.048) and this relationship strengthened when adjusted for body fat (from bio-electrical impedance; r=-0.46, P=0.009). In addition, there was a significant positive relationship between plasma total cholesterol and BMI z score change (r=0.38, P=0.03) and this relationship remained unchanged when adjusted for body fat. No relationship was observed between weight change after 12 months and plasma levels of insulin, IG ratio, HDL cholesterol or triglyceride.
Conclusion:
Plasma leptin and total cholesterol were found to be predictive of weight gain over 12 months in a cohort of pre-pubertal children. These two potential predictors can be readily measured in clinical practice and these findings may represent a method of defining the 'at risk of obesity' state in childhood.