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Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test OGTT and Insulin Tolerance Test ITT
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Obesity and insulin resistance in children

Veronica Maria Tagi1, Francesco Chiarelli

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|June 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is a primary driver of insulin resistance in children and adolescents, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Understanding these complex mechanisms is crucial for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Obesity is the leading modifiable risk factor for insulin resistance in pediatric populations.
  • Obesity-induced insulin resistance in youth is a critical precursor to adult cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
  • The intricate mechanisms linking obesity to insulin resistance in children remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of the pathways contributing to insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents.
  • To highlight novel insights into the pathogenesis of insulin resistance driven by obesity in pediatric populations.
  • To emphasize the importance of understanding these mechanisms for developing tailored follow-up and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on obesity and insulin resistance in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying obesity-induced insulin resistance.
  • Focus on specific pathways relevant to children and adolescents, including adiposity and fatty acid metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Global adiposity is identified as the principal determinant of insulin resistance in children.
  • Excessive fatty acids contribute significantly to insulin resistance by increasing hepatic acetyl-CoA production and promoting adipose tissue inflammation.
  • The multifactorial etiology of insulin resistance in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome is acknowledged.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced understanding of obesity-driven insulin resistance mechanisms in youth is essential for effective clinical management.
  • Identifying specific pathways allows for the development of targeted interventions for at-risk pediatric populations.
  • This review provides a framework for future research into the prevention and treatment of obesity-related metabolic disorders in children and adolescents.
Abstract

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