title: Increased scalp hair cortisol concentrations in obese children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pathologically increased cortisol exposure induces obesity, but it is not known whether relatively high cortisol within the physiological range is related to childhood obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare hair cortisol concentrations between obese and normal-weight children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an observational case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty obese children (body mass index-SD score [BMI-SDS]>2.3) and 20 age- and sex-matched normal-weight children (BMI-SDS<1.1) aged 8-12 years were recruited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scalp hair samples from the posterior vertex were collected, and hair cortisol concentrations were measured using ELISA. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. From the obese children, additional data on blood pressure and blood lipid concentrations were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, five boys and 15 girls were included; their mean age was 10.8±1.3 vs 10.8±1.2 years (obese vs normal weight; not significant). Body weight, BMI, BMI-SDS, and waist circumference were higher in the obese children compared with the normal-weight children (69.8±17.2 vs 35.5±7.2 kg; 29.6±4.9 vs 16.4±1.6 kg/m2; 3.4±0.5 vs -0.2±0.8 SDS; 94±13 vs 62±6 cm; P<.001 all). Hair cortisol concentration was higher in obese than normal-weight children (median [interquartile range], 25 [17, 32] vs 17 [13, 21] pg/mg; P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hair cortisol concentration, a measure for long-term cortisol exposure, was higher in obese children than normal-weight children. This suggests long-term activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in obese children and may provide a novel target for treatment of obesity in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics (M.A.B.V., G.N., C.B.M.K., S.M., E.L.T.v.d.A.), Erasmus Medical Center (MC), Sophia Children's Hospital, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center Medical Research BV (M.A.B.V.), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine (G.N., J.W.K., E.F.C.v.R.), Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics (M.H.T.M.J.), Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Kleiweg 500, 3045 PM Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC and Sint Franciscus Gasthuis (M.A.B.V., G.N., M.H.T.M.J., C.B.M.K., S.M., J.W.K., E.F.C.v.R., E.L.T.v.d.A.), Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Margriet A B
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Veldhorst
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noppe
authors.forename: Mieke H T M
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jongejan
authors.forename: Chantine B M
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mekic
authors.forename: Jan Willem
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Koper
authors.forename: Elisabeth F C
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.forename: Erica L T
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: van den Akker
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D012535:Scalp / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone