Hormonal changes during puberty and their relationship to fat distribution.

Area of Science:

• Human Biology
• Endocrinology
• Pediatric Obesity

Background:

• Abdominal visceral adiposity in adults is linked to increased cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and stroke risk.
• Alterations in body fat distribution during childhood and adolescence are antecedents to these adult health conditions.
• Sex differences in hormones, hormone receptors, blood flow, and lipid metabolism enzymes influence sexually dimorphic fat distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex hormonal control of body fat distribution changes during puberty.
• To propose a working model for the hormonal regulation of adipose tissue distribution in adolescents.
• To investigate the role of hormones like cortisol, insulin, growth hormone, and sex steroids in pubertal fat patterning.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on hormonal influences on adipose tissue.
• Analysis of the interplay between lipogenic (cortisol, insulin) and lipolytic (sex steroids, GH) hormones.
• Consideration of the potential role of leptin as a metabolic signal regulating hormonal axes.

Main Results:

• Hormones such as cortisol and insulin promote fat deposition, while sex steroids and growth hormone (GH) stimulate lipolysis during puberty.
• An overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in obesity may disrupt the balance of these hormonal effects.
• Leptin's role as a metabolic signal influencing satiety, energy expenditure, and hormonal release is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Hormonal regulation of body fat distribution during puberty is complex and multifactorial.
• Understanding these hormonal mechanisms is crucial for addressing the antecedents of adult metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
• The proposed working model provides a framework for further research into pubertal adiposity and its health implications.