Metabolic profiles of fat and glucose differ by gender in healthy 8-year-olds.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to investigate if metabolic markers were associated with anthropometry and weight increase in healthy 8-year-olds.


METHODS
Ninety-seven healthy children, 66 of whom had been examined at the age of 4 years, were investigated. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to determine fat (FM) and lean body mass (LBM). Plasma glucose and serum levels of insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin and leptin were analysed and HOMA-indices were calculated.


RESULTS
Despite similar anthropometry, metabolic markers differed by gender. Sixteen % of the children were overweight or obese. Body mass index (BMI) was strongly correlated to FM. Anthropometric measures except LBM correlated to metabolic markers in the girls. Boys had higher concentrations of plasma glucose than girls. In overweight children, insulin was negatively associated with LBM. Leptin and the ratio between leptin and adiponectin, but not adiponectin, were significantly associated with HOMA-IR and body composition.


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolic profile of plasma glucose, serum leptin, fasting insulin and related HOMA indices differed by gender, despite no difference in BMI or FM. LBM, but not FM correlated to the insulin concentration in the overweight children. Leptin was the best marker of overweight.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. susanne-e-sson@bredband.net
Susanne
S
Eriksson
Vilborg
V
Palsdottir
Malin
M
Garemo
Dan
D
Mellström
Birgitta
B
Strandvik
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D055442:Metabolome; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin