Effects of low-glycemic index diet on plasma adipokines in obese children
Chonnikant Visuthranukul1, Cameron Hurst2, Sirinuch Chomtho3
1Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
A low-glycemic index (GI) diet did not alter adipokines in obese children. However, higher baseline leptin levels predicted less fat mass reduction, suggesting leptin resistance hinders weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Low-glycemic index (GI) diets are proposed to improve metabolic health by modulating adipokines.
- Adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, play crucial roles in regulating insulin sensitivity and body composition.
- Understanding the impact of dietary interventions on adipokines in obese children is vital for developing effective weight management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a low-GI diet versus a conventional diet on plasma adipokine concentrations in obese children.
- To assess the relationship between adipokines and clinical outcomes, including insulin resistance and body composition changes.
- To determine if baseline adipokine levels can predict treatment response in an obesity intervention trial.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing a low-GI diet with a conventional diet in obese children.
- Analysis of stored plasma samples for key adipokines: leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin.
- Assessment of changes in body mass index (BMI) z-score, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fat mass index (FMI).
Main Results:
- Both dietary groups achieved significant reductions in BMI z-scores.
- The low-GI group showed significant improvements in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR.
- No significant differences in adipokine levels were observed between the groups post-intervention; however, higher baseline leptin was associated with a lower reduction in FMI.
Conclusions:
- A low-GI diet did not significantly alter plasma adipokine levels in obese children compared to a conventional diet.
- Elevated baseline leptin levels were correlated with reduced fat mass reduction, suggesting leptin resistance may impede adiposity reduction.
- Baseline leptin may serve as a predictive biomarker for changes in body composition during obesity interventions in children.
Background:
A low-glycemic index (GI) diet may modulate adipocyte-produced adipokines linking to insulin resistance.
Methods:
The stored plasma samples from the RCT of a low-GI vs. conventional diet in obese children were analyzed for adipokines: leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin. Their relationships with clinical outcomes were assessed.
Results:
Fifty-two participants completed the 6-month intervention trial (mean age: 12.0 ± 2.0 years, 35 boys). Both groups had significantly decreased BMI z-scores from baseline whereas the low-GI group had significant reduction in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. There were no differences in adipokines between the groups before and after the intervention. However, there was an association between baseline leptin and the change of fat mass index (FMI) but not the insulin resistance in both groups. The higher the baseline leptin was, the lower the changes were for FMI after the intervention.
Conclusion:
Despite no demonstrable effect of low-GI diet on plasma adipokines, the higher baseline leptin was correlated with lower reduction of fat mass. Leptin resistance may have a detrimental effect on the reduction of adiposity in obese children. Baseline leptin could be a useful predictor of the change in body composition in an obesity intervention trial.
Impact:
Leptin resistance may have a detrimental effect in reducing the adiposity in obese children. This study is the first of its kind to compare the plasma adipokine concentrations of obese children on low-GI diet and conventional diet. We found that serum leptin was significantly correlated with the reduction of BMI z-score and FMI in both groups. Baseline leptin could be a useful predictor of the change in body composition in an obesity intervention trial.
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