Associations of adiponectin concentrations from birth until late adolescence with insulin resistance

We investigated associations of adiponectin concentrations from birth to adolescence with insulin resistance in late adolescence using data from Project Viva prospective birth cohort (Eastern Massachusetts, 1999-2002).

We conducted multivariable linear regression models between adiponectin (internal z-scores) at birth, early childhood, mid-childhood, early and late adolescence and insulin resistance in late adolescence with the homeostasis model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

In 468 children (52% female, 59% Non-Hispanic White), we observed inverse associations of adiponectin z-scores in mid-childhood (-0.16, 95% CI: -0.33, 0.01), early adolescence (-0.19, 95% CI: -0.37, -0.01) and late adolescence (-0.40, 95% CI: -0.57, -0.23) with HOMA-IR in late adolescence; these associations were attenuated after accounting for BMI z-score. When stratified by sex, we observed these associations in males, while estimates were more modest in females.

Overall, starting in mid-childhood, lower adiponectin concentrations were linked with higher insulin resistance in late adolescence, with associations apparent mostly in males.