Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profiles in Obese Children

Song, Yeoni; Kim, Se Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
Obesity is associated with complications such as unfavorable lipid profiles, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertension. We investigated the degree of obesity, especially defined as BMI and the percentage of overweight for the standard weight (%Wt) on plasma lipid levels and insulin resistance in the pediatric age group.
METHODS
In this cross sectional study, 64 children and adolescents were included. Anthropometric data including body weight, height, BMI, %Wt, fat percentage of body weight (Fat%), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were collected. For metabolic data, 14 hour fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were measured and index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, FGIR) were calculated. We analyzed if there exist relationship between each anthropometric data and metabolic data. Gender differences were also assessed.
RESULTS
Hyperinsulinemia showed high prevalence in obese children (total=21.9%, male=22.5%, female= 20.8%). HOMA-IR correlated with BMI and %Wt (BMI:r=0.308, P<0.05; %Wt:r=0.414, P<0.05). FGIR also correlated with BMI and %Wt (BMI:r=-0.406, P<0.05; %Wt:r=-0.437, P<0.05). Fasting serum triglyceride levels showed statistically significant correlation with BMI and %Wt [Boys (BMI:r=0.334, P<0.05; %Wt: r=0.487, P<0.05), Girls (BMI:r=0.482, P<0.05; %Wt:0.406, P<0.05)].
CONCLUSION
BMI and %Wt were valuable for predicting insulin resistance and triglyceride level. Sexual dimorphism related to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in obese children was not certain in this study.