title: Effect of body mass index on serum leptin levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptin is product of ob gene, an adipose tissue derived hormone that plays a key role in the regulation of body fat mass by regulating appetite and metabolism while balancing energy intake and energy expenditure. The objective of the study was to evaluate possible association between serum Leptin levels and Body Mass Index (BMI) of gender in adult age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-hundred-seventy subjects aged 20-50 years were randomly selected from general population of Abbottabad. After complete evaluation, demographic data was recorded and BMI calculated. The subjects were grouped on the basis on BMI. Non-fasting venous blood samples were drawn to measure serum Leptin and serum glucose levels. The data were analysed using SPSS-15.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum Leptin levels and differences between genders were significant in all body mass indices. For normal BMI group the mean values for leptin were 2.6 +/- 1.5 etag/ml in men, and 17.3 +/- 10.2 etag/ml in women. For Group-2 mean leptin levels were 9.9 +/- 6.8 etag/ml in men, and 34.8 +/- 13.6 etag/ml in women. For Group-3 BMI comprising obese subjects mean values were 21.3 +/- 14.2 etag/ml in men, and 48.21 +/- 21.2 etag/ml in women (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A progressive increase in serum leptin concentration was observed with an increase in BMI. Significant difference between leptin concentrations in either gender was found in normal, overweight and obese subjects.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan. rubina@doctor.com
authors.forename: Rubina Faisal
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Mukhtiar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Hassan Shehzad
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nazar
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gillani
authors.forename: Naeema
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Afzal
authors.forename: Iftikhar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qayyum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin