Relationship of leptin concentrations with insulin, glucose, lipoproteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, and body mass index in obese children in Monterrey, Mexico

Abstract

Obesity in children is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. There is a growing awareness of the long term complications. Leptin is a hormone secreted by the fat cell. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between leptin concentrations and insulin, glucose, high density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low density lipoproteins (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI) in Mexican obese children from Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. One hundred children from 6 to 12 years were studied. This included 24 children with obesity who participated in a summer camp for weight reduction and in a multidisciplinary treatment for 6 months, 41 obese children without intervention, and 35 non obese children and no intervention. Anthropornetric and biochemical determinations were at baseline and after 6 months. To measure obesity, body mass index was determined using the parameters of the United States of America growth charts (CDC, USA, 2000). Serum leptin, glucose, insulin, HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were all measured. The serum leptin levels were significantly higher in obese children than in non obese children [baseline 15.85 ng/mL vs. 5.43 ng/mL (z = −5.201, p < .001); 6 months 17.54 ng/mL vs. 7.10 ng/mL (z = −5.215, p < .001)]. Plasma leptin levels decreased in obese children with intervention (−4.44 ng/mL less leptin, p < .05). Baseline leptin concentration was significantly correlated with insulin for all three groups; obese with intervention (r = .670), obese no intervention (r = .748), and non obese (r = .670). Baseline BMI was significantly correlated with baseline leptin for the obese children who received the intervention (r = .569) and those who did not (r = .453). This study shows the concentration levels of leptin in Mexican obese and non obese children, as well the importance of leptin relationships with insulin and body mass index. Further research is necessary to establish the role of leptin with clinical and biochemical parameters in Mexican obese children.