[Hormonal alterations in obese children and adolescents]

There are a number of rare endocrine causes of obesity including defined genetic syndromes. However, there are frequent alterations in endocrine functions in obesity, which are characteristic of the obese state, including disorders of insulin secretion and function, alterations in the function of the growth hormone-IGF-1 axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and pubertal development. The characteristic endocrine alterations in obesity may have an influence on energy metabolism and energy storage. Alterations in glucocorticoid production and metabolism and the impaired growth hormone production for example show that these secondary endocrine changes may facilitate further increase in weight. Notwithstanding this, all described endocrine changes are completely or partially reversible under calorie restriction and weight loss.