Insulin and leptin levels in overweight and normal-weight Iranian adolescents: The CASPIAN-III study

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to compare insulin and leptin levels in adolescents with or without excess weight and in those with or without abdominal obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted among 486 samples. We randomly selected 243 overweight and an equal number of normal-weight adolescents from among participants of the third survey of a national surveillance program entitled Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Non-communicable diseases study. Serum insulin and leptin were compared between two groups and their correlation was determined with other variables. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 14.10 ± 2.82 years and 22.12 ± 6.49 kg/m(2), respectively. Leptin and insulin levels were higher in overweight than in normal-weight adolescents (P < 0.05). Leptin level was higher in children with abdominal obesity than in their other counterparts (P < 0.001). Leptin level was correlated with age, fasting blood glucose, BMI, and insulin level. CONCLUSION: Insulin and leptin levels were higher among overweight and obese children, which may reflect insulin and leptin-resistance. Given the complications of excess weight from early life, prevention and controlling childhood obesity should be considered as a health priority.