Association between adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels and childhood obesity in Korean children.
Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a newly recognized adipokine that plays a role in the development of obesity and insulin resistance in adults. We investigated the association between A-FABP levels and obesity and insulin resistance in school-aged children. One hundred sixty-one 9-year-old Korean children (80 boys and 81 girls) voluntarily participated in this study at school-based health examinations. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and A-FABP levels were measured; and insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment. Subjects with higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles had correspondingly higher concentrations of A-FABP in both boys and girls. Subjects within the highest quartile of A-FABP levels had correspondingly poor metabolic risk profiles (BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) compared with those in the lowest A-FABP quartile (P < .01). Serum A-FABP concentrations were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.58, P < .01) and waist circumference (r = 0.51, P < .01). However, the significant correlation between serum A-FABP and insulin resistance faded after adjustment for BMI. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein was closely associated with obesity or abdominal obesity in children; however, the independent relationship between A-FABP and insulin resistance in children is still unclear and remains to be determined.
Department of Family Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, South Korea.
Kyung Eun
KE
Yun
Seon Mee
SM
Kim
Kyung Mook
KM
Choi
Hye Soon
HS
Park
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055105:Waist Circumference
C493410:FABP4 protein, human; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids