Elevated leptin levels are associated with excess gains in fat mass in girls, but not boys, with type 1 diabetes: longitudinal study during adolescence.
Adolescents, in particular girls, with type 1 diabetes may gain excessive weight during puberty. We present the results of a longitudinal study aimed to determine the roles of leptin and insulin in changes in body composition in subjects with type 1 diabetes and controls. Forty-six children (23 boys) with type 1 diabetes and 40 controls (20 boys) were followed from 8-17 yr of age. Height, weight, and sc skinfolds were assessed every 6 months, and a blood sample taken for leptin determination. Throughout the age range, body mass index (mean +/- SEM) was greater by 1.45 +/- 0.69 kg/m(2) in girls and 1.46 +/- 0.55 kg/m(2) in boys with type 1 diabetes compared with control values. In girls with type 1 diabetes, this reflected greater percent body fat (3.2 +/- 1.0%; P = 0.002), whereas in boys it related to differences in fat-free mass. Both boys and girls with type 1 diabetes had higher leptin levels adjusted for percent body fat than controls; in the girls this was related to insulin dose (regression coefficient B = 0.006 +/- 0.003; P = 0.04) and greater gains in fat mass. Hyperinsulinemia and raised leptin levels are associated with gains in fat mass throughout puberty in girls, but not boys, with type 1 diabetes.
University Department of Pediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB2 2QQ.
M L
ML
Ahmed
K K
KK
Ong
A P
AP
Watts
D J
DJ
Morrell
M A
MA
Preece
D B
DB
Dunger
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020738:Leptin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin