Abdominal obesity and
insulin resistance (IR) place youth at higher risk for premature
cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In adults,
abdominal obesity and IR contribute to the oxidation of
low-density lipoprotein (
LDL). Whether similar mechanisms are operational in Latino adolescents is unknown. Therefore, we determined whether IR and abdominal adiposity are associated with higher
oxLDL concentrations in Latino adolescents. Data from 123 Latino adolescents (16.3 ± 2.5 years; female = 74) were used for the present analysis. Participants were assessed for waist circumference, fasting serum
oxLDL, and
insulin sensitivity by the whole body
insulin sensitivity index. In separate linear regression models adjusting for age and sex, both waist circumference and
insulin sensitivity were significant predictors of
oxLDL (β = 1.9; p = 0.002; R2 = 0.13, β = -1.7; p = 0.006; R2 = 0.11, respectively). When
insulin sensitivity and waist circumference were included in the same model, both remained independent predictors of
oxLDL (β = 1.7; p = 0.016 and, β = -1.5; p = 0.055, respectively; R2 = 0.16). These results suggest that
insulin resistance and abdominal adiposity are associated with higher levels of
LDL oxidation which may be a mechanism contributing to increased CVD risk in Latino adolescents.