Metabolic syndrome, adipokines and ghrelin in overweight and obese schoolchildren: results of a 1-year lifestyle intervention programme.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention programme (nutrition and exercise counselling) on metabolic syndrome (MS) components, adipokines (leptin, adiponectin) and ghrelin levels in overweight children. A total of 61 overweight children aged 7-9 years (≥ 85th body mass index (BMI) percentile; 27 boys/34 girls) were randomly assigned and completed a 1-year individual (IT) or group-based treatment (GT). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, at 6 months and at 1 year. Twenty-two normal weight children (<85th BMI percentile; 7-9 years old; 13 boys/nine girls) were also evaluated at baseline. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). Overweight children presented significantly higher blood pressure, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels, while apolipoprotein A-I was significantly lower. At baseline, MS was present in ten overweight children, of which only five maintained it at 1 year. Leptin and ghrelin levels were associated with IR and MS components. MS was predicted by apolipoprotein A-I, insulin and pre-puberty. The lifestyle intervention led to a significant improvement in standard deviation score of BMI, waist circumference/height ratio and lipid profile. Changes in insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin and adiponectin were not significant. Ghrelin behaved differently between IT and GT. The GT intervention seems to be more successful, with a decrease in BMI Z-score and an improvement of metabolic parameters. In conclusion, overweight children have multiple risk factors associated with MS. A lifestyle intervention programme seems to be an effective mean for reducing obesity and MS components and improving adipokines concentrations.
Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. capedrosa@gmail.com
Carla
C
Pedrosa
Bruno M P M
BM
Oliveira
Isabel
I
Albuquerque
Carlos
C
Simões-Pereira
Maria Daniel
MD
Vaz-de-Almeida
Flora
F
Correia
D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D037001:Directive Counseling; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D054392:Adipokines; D054439:Ghrelin