Overweight in Guadeloupe is a public health matter affecting children and adults. In the present study we evaluated the metabolic profile, including serum
ghrelin,
leptin and
adiponectin levels, in normal weight,
overweight and obese school children and we analyzed the potential changes in anthropometric and metabolic risk factors after a 1-year lifestyle intervention program.
METHODS: Parameters were assessed at baseline and at 1 year. Three groups (G) were defined according the International
Obesity Task Force reference values, G1: normal weight / G2:
overweight / G3: obese. The lifestyle intervention included dietary counseling, regular physical activity and family support.
RESULTS: A total of 120 children (G1: n = 44, G2: n = 39, G3: n = 37), aged 11- 15 years and 59 % girls were enrolled. Obese children showed significant lower HDL-C,
adiponectin and
ghrelin concentrations, higher
triglycerides, fasting
blood glucose,
insulin and
leptin levels and also higher frequencies of
abdominal obesity (G1: 2.3 %, G2: 28.2 %, G3: 73 %) and
insulin resistance (GI: 39 %, G2: 72 %, G3: 89 %) than the other groups. In the overall sample, the linear regressions exploring the associations of
ghrelin,
adiponectin and
leptin with age, gender, BMI z-score, HOMA-IR and tanner stage as independent variables showed strong associations of
leptin levels with weight status and
insulin resistance at baseline. The models accounted for 58 % of variability in
leptin levels compared with 26 and 15 % for
adiponectin and
ghrelin levels respectively. In 83 children who completed the program, significant decreases in BMI z-score in
overweight and obese children were noted.
Leptin levels decreased significantly only in the obese group whereas
adiponectin concentrations increased significantly in the three groups, In obese children, a significant correlation was found between changes in BMI Z-score, and changes in
leptin levels (r = 0.39; P = 0.049) but not with changes in
adiponectin levels.
CONCLUSIONS: