Résumé
Introduction: the association between body composition and the hormones has been explored in a limited number of studies. Hence, this study was performed to examine the association between body composition and serum level of leptin among children
Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted among 111 students aged 6-10 years, who were selected from 20 elementary schools in Tehran. We measured fasting plasma leptin by radioimmunoassay. The bioelectrical impedance was used to determine the subjects' body fat mass [FM], fat free mass [FFM] and their distribution in the body. The subjects' physical activity and sleep were recorded for a week by an accelerometer [Actigraph]
Results: results of this study showed no significant difference between boys and the girls regarding the level of leptin, FMI [Fat Mass Index, calculated using FM divided by height squared] and FFMI [Fat Free Mass Index, calculated using FFM divided by stature squared] [P>0.05]. FMI and FFMI in girls were not significantly associated with leptin whereas in boys, leptin was significantly associated with FMI [beta=-0.32, P=0.0001] and FFMI [beta=-0.28, P=0.01] after adjusting for age, physical activity, sleep, dietary intake, and watching TV and computer games
Conclusion: leptin may influence the gender-related differences of body composition during childhood in boys. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings