The Fasting Serum Glucose, Insulin and C-peptide Levels in Children with Obesity / 대한소아내분비학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increased rapidly, associated with high morbidity of dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia in obese children may depend on either increased insulin secretion or decreased insulin clearance. We investigate whether insulin secretion and clearance are different between obese and normal weight children. METHODS:The body mass index(BMI), fasting serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels were measured in 101 children(52 obese children and 49 non-obese controls) in Ansan area, from 6 to 14 years old. Fasting serum C-peptide/insulin ratio, insulin/glucose ratio, homeostasis model assessment(HOMA) were calculated and compared between obese and control group. RESULTS:The fasting serum insulin and C-peptide levels were significantly higher in obese group than in controls. The C-peptide/insulin ratio was significantly lower and insulin/glucose ratio was significantly higher in obese group than in controls. There were positive correlations between BMI and fasting serum insulin level, fasting insulin/glucose ratio and HOMA. The prevalence of hyperinsulinemia is higher in obese adolescents than in controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that increased insulin secretion and decreased insulin clearance may contribute to hyperinsulinemia in obese children.