| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To measure serum leptin concentrations in the Polynesian population of Western Samoa and to examine epidemiological associations of leptin with anthropometric, demographic, behavioural, and metabolic factors in this population with a high prevalence of obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Cross sectional study, leptin concentration being measured in a subgroup of a population based sample. SUBJECTS: 240 Polynesian men and women aged 28-74 years were selected to cover the full range of age, body mass index, and glucose tolerance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Serum leptin, insulin, and glucose concentrations; anthropometric measures; physical activity; and area of residence. RESULTS: Leptin concentrations were correlated with body mass index (r = 0.80 in men, 0.79 in women) and waist circumference (r = 0.82 in men, 0.78 in women) but less so with waist to hip ratio. At any body mass index, leptin concentration was higher in women than men (geometric mean adjusted for body mass index 15.3 v 3.6 pg/l, P < 0.001). Leptin concentration also correlated with fasting insulin concentration (r = 0.63 in men, 0.64 in women) and insulin concentration 2 hours after a glucose load (r = 0.58 in men, 0.52 in women). These associations remained significant after controlling for body mass index; effects of physical activity and of rural or urban living on leptin concentration were eliminated after adjusting for obesity, except values remained high in urban men. 78% of variance in leptin was explained by a model including fasting insulin concentration, sex, body mass index, and a body mass index by sex interaction term. Similar results were obtained if waist circumference replaced body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: The strong relation of leptin with obesity is consistent with leptin production being proportional of mass to adipose tissue. The relation with insulin independent of body mass index suggests a possible role for leptin in insulin resistance or hyperinsulinaemia. |
| Authors | P Zimmet, A Hodge, M Nicolson, M Staten, M de Courten, J Moore, A Morawiecki, J Lubina, G Collier, G Alberti, G Dowse
(Affiliation: International Diabetes Institute, Victoria, Australia.)
|
| Journal | BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
(BMJ)
Vol. 313
Issue 7063
Pg. 965-9
(Oct 19 1996)
ISSN: 0959-8138 ENGLAND |
| PMID | 8892415
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
|
| Chemical References |
- Blood Glucose
- Leptin
- Proteins
- Insulin
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Blood Glucose
(metabolism)
- Body Mass Index
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Diabetes Complications
- Diabetes Mellitus
(metabolism)
- Female
- Humans
- Independent State of Samoa
(epidemiology)
- Insulin
(metabolism)
- Leptin
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Obesity
(complications, epidemiology, metabolism)
- Proteins
(metabolism)
- Rural Health
- Sex Factors
- Urban Health
|
