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Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Identifies Very High Metabolic Risk in Slovak Children with Obesity: A Body
Alžbeta Bánovčinová1, Ingrid Schusterová2, Štefan Tóth3
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 04011 Košice, Slovakia.
Nutrients
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Childhood obesity in Slovak children reveals high insulin resistance, especially in those with low muscle mass and high body fat. This body composition phenotype indicates a significant risk for severe metabolic dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity exhibits significant metabolic variability.
- Insulin resistance is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
- Identifying high-risk phenotypes is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance in Slovak obese children using multiple validated markers.
- To identify specific high-risk phenotypes associated with insulin resistance.
- To analyze the relationship between body composition and metabolic dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 54 obese children and 33 controls.
- Utilized bioelectrical impedance analysis and fasting metabolic profiling (HOMA-IR, TG/HDL-C ratio).
- Performed age-matched sensitivity analysis on 28 pairs.
Main Results:
- Obese children showed significantly higher mean HOMA-IR compared to controls.
- A high percentage of obese children (38.9%) had elevated TG/HDL-C ratio, indicating insulin resistance.
- Children with low skeletal muscle mass and high body fat exhibited 91.7% insulin resistance prevalence and a 6-fold increased odds of severe metabolic dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Low skeletal muscle mass in obese Slovak children is a very-high-risk phenotype for insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.
- Body composition analysis allows for effective risk stratification in obese children.
- Personalized interventions targeting high-risk children are essential for managing metabolic health.
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