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International Journal of Nutrology
Articles
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713796
Submitted: 03-06-2022
Published: 03-06-2022

Leptin Levels, Basal Metabolic Rates, and Insulin Resistance in Obese Pubertal Children

Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil / Nutrition Course, Faculdade Inedi-Cesuca, Cachoeirinha, Brazil
Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil / Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
basal metabolism child insulin resistance leptin obesity

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity in children and adolescents is considered a serious public health problem. The consequences of overweight can last for life. It is extremely important to have formulas to calculate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) that are truly reliable in relation to the individual caloric expenditure. Objectives: To investigate the association of serum levels of leptin, lipid profile, and insulin resistance (insuline resistance by Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] index) with the body mass index (BMI) z-score of pubertal obese children. In addition, to compare the basal metabolic rate (BMR) evaluation carried out using bioimpedance (BIA) with the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) equation. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 37 pubertal obese children (aged 7 to 12 years old) seen for the first time in the outpatient care unit specialized in child obesity between June 2013 and April 2014. The participants were assessed regarding anthropometric data, body composition (fat mass) by BIA 310 bioimpedance analyzer (Biodynamic Body Composition Analyser, model 310 - Biodynamics Corporation, Seattle, EUA), and blood pressure. Blood samples were collected to measure glucose, insulin, lipid profile, triglycerides, and leptin. The stage of sexual maturity was determined by self-assessment according to the Tanner scale. Results: Higher leptin levels were found in the severe obesity group (p = 0.007) and, as expected, higher BMI (p < 0.001), and fat mass (p = 0.029). The groups did not differ in relation to insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and blood pressure. The BMR measured by bioimpedance was lower as compared to the measure by the FAO/WHO equation (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that severely obese children may present leptin resistance in this early stage of life, (since this hormone is higher in these children). It is suggested that health professionals prioritize the calculation of BMR by bioimpedance, since the FAO/WHO equation seems to overestimate the caloric values.

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How to Cite

Conterato, E. V., Machado, T. D., Nogueira-de-Almeida, C. A., & Mello, E. D. (2022). Leptin Levels, Basal Metabolic Rates, and Insulin Resistance in Obese Pubertal Children. International Journal of Nutrology, 13(1), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1713796