Insulin resistance in obese adolescents.
The prevalence of obesity in adolescents is increasing rapidly. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. We investigated insulin resistance in obese adolescents and its relationship to acanthosis nigricans. Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured and each was expressed as a standard deviation score (SDS) based on national growth standards. Insulin resistance was estimated by using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) score, calculated as fasting insulin (microU/mL) x fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. Obese adolescents had significantly greater weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR than did controls with normal weight. Acanthosis nigricans was present in 58.4% of obese adolescents. Fasting insulin levels and BMI-SDS were positively correlated with the degree of acanthosis nigricans (r = 0.383, P<0.0001 and r = 0.164, P < 0.05, respectively). On multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR and BMI-SDS explained 16.8% of the degree of acanthosis nigricans (P<0.0001). Acanthosis nigricans thus may be a marker of insulin resistance and should be carefully looked for in obese adolescents.
Li
Hsing-Jung
HJ
Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Huang
Chi-Yu
CY
Lee
Hung-Chang
HC
Chen
Ming-Ren
MR
Lo
Fu-Sung
FS
Lin
Chao-Hsu
CH
Wang
An-Mei
AM
Shih
Bing-Fu
BF
Lee
Yann-Jinn
YJ
D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin