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Evolution of GH secretion in urine during an in-patient slimming course in obese children
Y Lehingue1, E Locard, J F Vivant
1INSERM U265, 151 cours A. Tlhomas, Lyon, France. lehingue@lyon151.inserm.fr
Insights
Obese children showed increased growth hormone (GH) excretion in urine after a 10-week slimming course. Physical activity was key to restoring normal GH levels, highlighting its importance in pediatric obesity treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Obesity Research
- Growth Hormone Physiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Growth hormone (GH) plays a crucial role in child development.
- Understanding factors influencing GH excretion in obese children is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify changes in urinary GH excretion (GH-U) during a slimming program in obese children.
- To identify specific components of the slimming course associated with increased GH-U.
Main Methods:
- An observational follow-up study involving 48 pre-pubertal children with primary obesity.
- Measurements included urinary GH-U (via immunoradiometric assay), BMI, nutritional intake, physical activity, and sleep duration before and after a 10-week inpatient slimming course.
Main Results:
- A mean BMI decrease of 0.90 SD was observed.
- Urinary GH excretion increased by 34% post-intervention.
- Increased physical activity duration was significantly correlated with the magnitude of GH-U increase.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that slimming courses can increase urinary GH excretion in obese children.
- Physical activity emerges as a critical factor in normalizing GH-U levels.
- This suggests integrating structured physical activity is essential for comprehensive pediatric obesity management.
Objective:
To estimate the change in GH excretion in urine (GH-U) during a slimming course, and if increased, to assess the components of the course related to the increase in obese children.
Design:
Observational follow-up study of patients admitted for primary obesity to an in-patient slimming course lasting at least 10 weeks.
Subjects:
48 complete observations out of 54 consecutive pre-pubertal patients admitted to a paediatric centre for treatment of primary obesity (BMI greater than the 90th percentile of the national reference curves).
Measurements:
GH excretion in urine by immunoradiometric assay, at entry and after 10 weeks, various anthropometric measurements, nutritional intake and departure from the prescribed diet, time spent in physical activity, sleep duration.
Results:
A mean decrease of 0.90 standard deviations for BMI was accompanied by a 34% increase of GH-U. Time spent in physical activity was the only component of the course found to be related to the magnitude of GH-U increase.
Conclusion:
The results of this observational study confirm that GH-U is increased after a slimming course in children, and suggest that physical activity is a major contributor to the restoration of normal GH-U levels.