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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Obesity, fasting plasma insulin, and C-reactive protein levels in healthy children

Steven Shea1, Eve Aymong, Patricia Zybert

  • 1Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA. ss35@columbia.edu

Obesity Research
|January 17, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Obesity in young children is linked to higher fasting insulin levels. Fasting insulin, in turn, is associated with increased C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Inflammation Markers

Background:

  • Obesity is linked to hyperinsulinemia and elevated C-reactive protein in older individuals.
  • Limited data exists on these associations in very young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationships between obesity, insulin levels, and C-reactive protein in healthy 2- to 3-year-old children.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 491 healthy Hispanic children aged 2-3 years.
  • Measurements included Body Mass Index (BMI), ponderal index, skinfolds, fasting insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein.
  • Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess associations, adjusting for age and sex.

Main Results:

  • Obesity measures (BMI, ponderal index) strongly correlated with each other.
  • Fasting insulin level was the primary driver of insulin resistance index variability.
  • BMI and ponderal index were associated with higher fasting insulin levels (p < 0.001).
  • Fasting insulin level, not obesity measures, was associated with C-reactive protein level.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is associated with elevated fasting insulin levels in healthy 2- to 3-year-old children.
  • Fasting insulin levels are positively associated with C-reactive protein levels in this age group.
Abstract

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