title: The relationship between different subcutaneous adipose tissue layers, fat mass and leptin in obese children and adolescents.
abstract: We studied the relationships of subcutaneous adipose tissue layers (SAT-layers), body fat mass (FM) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with leptin in obese children and adolescents. Twenty-nine obese children and adolescents (12 boys: age: 11.3 +/- 3.7 yr; body mass index [BMI]: 28.5 +/- 4) and 17 girls (age: 12.2 +/- 2.2 yr; BMI: 29.8 +/- 4.7) (mean +/- SD) were studied. FM was estimated by bioelectrical impedance. SAT-layers were determined at 15 different body sites from 1-neck to 15-calf by the Lipometer optical device. Leptin and insulin were determined by RIA. Maturity was associated with a greater thickness of certain SAT-layers from the upper body and with a lower thickness of SAT-layers from the abdominal region and lower extremities. Significant correlations were found for all estimates of adiposity and leptin (all p<0.001). Waist and hip circumferences were not correlated to leptin after adjustment for FM. SAT-layers from the upper body were significantly and positively correlated to leptin. Multiple regression analysis revealed FM as a main contributor to the variation in leptin (R2=0.53, p<0.0001). FM together with SAT-layers 5-front chest and 13-rear thigh explained 72% of the variation in leptin (p<0.0001). In a body fat distribution model, hip circumference together with SAT-layers 4-upper back and 2-triceps explained 75% of the variation in leptin (p< 0.0001). The results suggest that SAT-layers and their topography are main determinants for leptin in obese children and adolescents. Maturity in obese children is associated with higher values of upper body SAT-layers and lower values of abdominal and lower extremities SAT-layers. Whether leptin is under the control of certain subcutaneous adipose tissue depots from the upper body remains to be elucidated by longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Sport Sciences, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria. Karl.Sudi@kfunigraz.ac.at
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sudi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallistl
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tafeit
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Borkenstein
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin