Serum leptin concentration poorly reflects growth and energy and nutrient intake in young children.
OBJECTIVE
We studied whether the serum leptin concentration at age 2 years predicts changes in relative body weight by age 8 and whether the serum leptin concentration is associated with intake of energy and nutrients at age 5.


METHODS
A total of 156 8-year-old participants of the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project were chosen to represent children whose relative weight decreased, was stable, or increased during the preceding 6 years. Their serum leptin concentrations were measured in samples collected when they were 2 years. Serum leptin was also measured in 100 5-year-old children in the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project whose energy and nutrient intakes were analyzed using 4-day food records.


RESULTS
The boys whose relative weight decreased (n = 25), was stable (n = 28), or increased (n = 26) between 2 and 8 years of age had similar serum leptin concentrations at the age of 2 years. The girls whose relative weight decreased (n = 27) had higher serum leptin concentrations at 2 years than the girls whose relative weight remained stable (n = 26) but only when the leptin values were not adjusted for body mass index. The serum leptin concentration was higher in 5-year-old girls than in 5-year-old boys even when adjusted for body mass index. Serum leptin correlated with relative weight in girls and boys (r = 0.65 and r = 0.45, respectively). Serum leptin concentration adjusted for relative weight correlated poorly with intakes of energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sucrose, and protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum leptin concentrations at age 2 poorly predicted changes in relative body weight during the following 6 years and poorly reflected the intake of energy or major nutrients at age 5.
Hakanen
Maarit
M
The Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. maarit.hakanen@utu.fi
Rönnemaa
Tapani
T
Talvia
Sanna
S
Rask-Nissilä
Leena
L
Koulu
Markku
M
Viikari
Jorma
J
Bergendahl
Matti
M
Simell
Olli
O
D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment
D020738:Leptin