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Metabolic syndrome and leptin concentrations in obese children

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Abstract

Objective

Obesity and its complications including metabolic syndrome has been increased in children and adolescents recently. Leptin is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity.

Methods

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of leptin and metabolic syndrome in obese Iranian children. A cross sectional study was carried out in 65 primary schools in Tehran. The children with waist circumferences equal or above 90th percentile for their height and age were chosen for further evaluations. 505 children aged 7–12 years participated in the study. Anthropometric variables measurements, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum leptin were obtained from the study sample.

Results

Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in girls in comparison to the boys (with median 11.0 Vs 8.25 ng/dl; P value =0.007). Serum level of leptin were higher in children with metabolic syndrome (median 11.3 Vs 8.9 ng/dl; P value=0.045). However, after adjustment for sex, this association was removed.

Conclusion

Leptin did not appear to have a major role in metabolic syndrome, even though it was strongly associated with obesity parameters. More studies evaluating the relationship between leptin and metabolic syndrome in various ethnic groups are recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Northern Kargar Ave, 14114, Tehran, Iran

    Anahita Hamidi, Hossein Fakhrzadeh, Alireza Moayyeri, Ramin Heshmat, Pantea Ebrahimpour & Bagher Larjani

Authors
  1. Anahita Hamidi
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  2. Hossein Fakhrzadeh
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  3. Alireza Moayyeri
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  4. Ramin Heshmat
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  5. Pantea Ebrahimpour
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  6. Bagher Larjani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bagher Larjani.

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Hamidi, A., Fakhrzadeh, H., Moayyeri, A. et al. Metabolic syndrome and leptin concentrations in obese children. Indian J Pediatr 73, 593–596 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02759924

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