Role of adipokines FGF21, leptin and adiponectin in self-concept of youths with obesity.

Abstract

The mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk of psychosocial disorders remain unclear. We aimed at exploring the association between obesity and self-concept in Chinese youths and the role of adipokines. Data for 559 participants (aged 14-28 years) were analyzed. Self-concept was assessed by utilizing the Self-Description Questionnaire II (SDQ-II). Subjects with obesity had higher leptin, FGF21 and lower adiponectin levels (all p < 0.001). They also had lower SDQ-II scores especially in the domains of general school, physical abilities, physical appearance and opposite-sex relations (all p < 0.001). Both elevated FGF21 and leptin were correlated with lower scores in math (p < 0.01), physical abilities (p < 0.01), and opposite-sex relations (p < 0.05), meanwhile FGF21 negatively correlated with the scores in general school and honesty/trustworthiness, and leptin negatively correlated with physical appearance (p < 0.01) but positively with verbal (p < 0.01). In contrast, decreased adiponectin was correlated with poorer physical abilities (p < 0.05), physical appearance (p < 0.05), and parent relations (p < 0.01). Moreover, these associations of leptin, FGF21 and adiponectin with certain domains remained significant after adjustment for BMI and other metabolic confounders. In conclusion, youths with obesity experienced poorly on self-concept, and these associations may be explained in part by adipokines leptin, FGF21 and adiponectin.

• Authors: Ge Li, Dan Feng, Xiaoxue Qu, Junling Fu, Yonghui Wang, Lianxia Li, Lujiao Li, Lanwen Han, Issy C Esangbedo, Mingyao Li, Ming Li, Shan Gao
• Journal: European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (Eur Neuropsychopharmacol) Vol. 28 Issue 8 Pg. 892-902 (08 2018) ISSN: 1873-7862 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 29891216 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Adiponectin
• Leptin
• fibroblast growth factor 21
• Fibroblast Growth Factors

Topics

• Adiponectin (metabolism)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Humans
• Leptin (metabolism)
• Male
• Mathematical Concepts
• Motor Skills
• Obesity (metabolism, psychology)
• Parent-Child Relations
• Self Concept
• Sexual Behavior
• Young Adult