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Adolescent sex differences in adiponectin are conditional on pubertal development and adiposity
Jessica G Woo1, Lawrence M Dolan, Stephen R Daniels
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229-3039, USA. Jessica.woo@cchmc.org
Obesity Research
|January 20, 2006
Summary
Sex differences in adiponectin emerge during puberty, with boys showing lower levels than girls. These differences are influenced by body weight, with lean boys having the lowest adiponectin by post-puberty.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Health
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Adiponectin, an adipose tissue protein, has insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects.
- Obesity is paradoxically associated with lower adiponectin levels.
- Previous studies reported sex differences in adiponectin in adults and adolescents, but not in prepubertal children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of sex differences in adiponectin during puberty.
- To examine the influence of adiposity on these sex differences in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Measured adiponectin levels in 1196 white and African-American adolescents.
- Estimated insulin resistance using the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR).
- Analyzed demographic, developmental, and metabolic variables, including interactions with adiposity.
Main Results:
- Adiponectin levels varied significantly by sex, race, adiposity, and puberty stage.
- Significant sex differences emerged post-puberty, with boys having lower levels than girls.
- Sex differences were conditional on adiposity; significant differences were observed in lean adolescents but not in non-lean adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in adiponectin are influenced by both puberty stage and adiposity.
- By post-puberty, non-lean adolescent boys exhibit the lowest adiponectin levels.