HOME > EDICIONES > Año 2003, Volumen 53 - Número 1
Trabajos de Investigación
Lean adolescents with increased risk for metabolic syndrome
Emperatriz Molero-Conejo, Luz Marina Morales, Virginia Fernández, Xiomara Raleigh, Maria Esther Gómez, Maritza Semprún-Fereira, Gilberto Campos, Elena Ryder. Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas, Sección de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina.. La Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo-Venezuela.
|
SUMMARY Lean adolescents with increased risk for metabolic syndrome The aim of the present study was to determine in adolescents the relationship between insulin levels and body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, diet, life style and lipid profile. We studied 167 adolescents (68 boys and 99 girls) whose ages ranged from 14 to 17 years. A detailed medical (including pubertal stage) and nutritional record was obtained from each subject. Biochemical measurements included fasting serum insulin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (Tg), HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C. HOMA insulin resistance (IR) and HOMA b -cell function (b -cell) were calculated. Insulin levels were over 84 pmol/L (cut off normal value in our lab) in 56% of the boys and 43% of the girls. Thirty-seven percent of lean adolescents whose BMI was 21.5 ± 1.9 kg/m2 presented higher fasting insulin levels, HOMA IR, Tg, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values when compared to a lean normoinsulinemic group. Insulin levels were correlated (p< 0.01) with body mass index. Both boys and girls in the highest BMI quartile (BMI > 24 kg/m2) had significantly higher serum insulin, HOMA b -cell, and Tg levels, and the lowest HDL-C levels. A high-energy intake rich in saturated fat and low physical activity were found in this lean but metabolically altered adolescents. We conclude that even with a BMI as low as 21 kg/m2 an inappropriate diet and low physical activity might be responsible for the high insulin levels and dislipidemias in adolescents.
Key words: Insulin, body mass index, diet, physical activity, insulin resistance, adolescents.
RESUMEN Adolescentes delgados con alto riesgo de presentar Sindrome Metabólico El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la relación entre los niveles de insulina y el Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), distribución de grasa corporal, dieta, estilo de vida y perfil lipídico en adolescentes. A cada adolescente se la realizó una historia clínica detallada (incluyendo estadío puberal), además de una encuesta nutricional. Dentro de los parámetros bioquímicos se determinaron en suero los niveles de glicemia e insulina basal, colesterol total (CT), triglicéridos (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C, y VLDL-C. Se calcularon el HOMA-IR, y el HOMA-ß-cell. Se encontró que el 56% de los varones y el 43% de las hembras tenía valores de insulina > 84pmol/L (valor de referencia para nuestro laboratorio). Un 37% de los adolescentes delgados, con un IMC promedio de 21,5 ± 1,9 kg/m2, presentó niveles elevados de insulina, HOMA-IR, TG, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica comparados con el grupo de adolescentes delgados normoinsulinémicos. Se encontró una correlación positiva y significativa (p< 0,01) entre los niveles de insulina y el IMC. Tanto los varones como las hembras ubicados en los cuartiles más altos de IMC (IMC>24 kg/m2 ), tenian niveles significativamente más altos de insulina, HOMA- ßcell y TG, acompañados de niveles más bajos de HDL-C. Una alta ingesta de energía rica en grasa saturadas y una baja actividad física, se encontraron en estos adolescentes delgados pero metabólicamente alterados. En conclusión, niveles tan bajos de IMC como 21 kg/m2, una dieta inapropiada y una baja actividad física pueden ser responsables de los altos niveles de insulina y dislipidemias en los adolescentes.
Palabras clave: Insulina, índice de masa corporal, dieta, actividad física, insulino resistencia, adolescentes.
INTRODUCTION
The emerging worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
establishes as research priorities to analyze risk factors in adolescents. There
is an increasing evidence that acquired cellular resistance to insulin leads to
impaired glucose tolerance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia.
Genetic factors in combination with sedentary life-style, and a high-energy diet
lead to obesity. Nearly 20 years ago, it was suggested that individuals exist
who are not obese on the basis of height and weight, but who, like people with
overt obesity, are hyperinsulinemic, insulin-resistant, and predisposed to type
2 diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and premature coronary disease (1). Since
then, it has become increasingly clear that such metabolically obese, normal
weight individuals are very common in the general population and they probably
represent one end of the spectrum of people with insulin resistance syndrome.
Metabolic obesity could account for the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and
other disorders in people with body mass index (BMI) in the 20-27 kg/m2
range who have gained modest amounts of weight (2–10 kg of adipose mass) in
adult life. Such individuals might be characterized by hyperinsulinism and
possibly by an increase in fat cell size compared to patients of similar age,
height and weight (1). Bergström et al (2) demonstrated that features typical
of the insulin resistance syndrome were already present in Swedish adolescents.
In addition, Young and Rosenbloom (3) reported type 2 diabetes in a pediatric
population. The measurements of serum insulin concentrations is an accepted way
of estimating insulin resistance (4) but there are not reference values
(normative data) available in the adolescent age group. Hyperinsulinemia is used
as a biochemical marker for insulin resistance as it has itself been implicated
in the development and maintenance of excess adiposity (5,6). However, little
attention has been paid to the metabolic consequences of hyperinsulinemia in
adolescents, even though such studies might provide important insights into the
natural history of obesity and cardiovascular disease in adult life. The
objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between insulin
level and body mass index, body fat distribution, diet, life style and lipid
profile in adolescents.
METHODS
Subjects
The study was performed on healthy
adolescents with similar socioeconomic status, from an urban school in
Maracaibo-Venezuela, and were selected in accordance with sex and age. The study
involved 167 subjects aged between 14 and 17 y: 68 boys and 99 girls. All
volunteers received verbal and written information on the purpose and content of
the study, and the participation was voluntary. All subjects were documented to
be in good health based on their health history that included height (m), weight
(kg), pubertal age (estimated according to Tanner’s criteria), collection of
data on chronic disease history (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease
and obesity), medication and physical activity (min/week). None of the
adolescents received medication.
Anthropometric assessment
Waist circumference was measured at the
umbilical level and hip circumference as the largest measure around the hips.
Biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds were measured with a Lange
Skinfold Caliper. Height and weight were measured in the standard fashion, and
BMI (kg/m2) was calculated from these values. We considered lean
adolescents when BMI was = 25 kg/m2 and obese adolescents when BMI
was > 25 kg/m2. These cutoffs’ BMI were established according to
body mass index curves reported by FUNDACREDESA Venezuela Project 1994 (7).
Blood pressure
Systolic (SBP) and diastolic ([ DBP] Korotkoff 4th phase) blood
pressures were measured in the right arm in the sitting position using a
standard mercury sphygmomanometer. The mean of two blood-pressure measurements
obtained five minutes apart was used in the analyses.
Biochemical measurements
After a 12-h fasting blood samples (10
ml) were collected from each subject and transported and processed immediately
after collection. Blood glucose was measured by the glucose oxidase method
(Glucose liquicolor Human). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (Tg), HDL-C
and LDL-C were measured by enzymatic methods (Cholesterol liquicolor,
Triglycerides liquicolor and HDL-cholesterol liquicolor test kits from Human,
Germany and cholesterol LDL, PVS method from Boehringer); VLDL-C was determined
by the formula: VLDL-C = TC – HDL-C – LDL-C. Serum insulin level was
measured using a solid-phase 125I radio immunoassay (Coat-A-Count
Insulin, Diagnostic Products, USA). Insulin resistance and b
-cell function were determined by the Homeostasis Model Assessment [HOMA] (8).
Macronutrient intake
Macronutrient intake was assessed from
the subject’s daily record of food eaten during 7 days (including breakfast,
lunch, dinner and snack). The questionnaires were processed using the Expert
System Ceres, a program that converts declared quantities of food into
quantities of nutrients on the basis of the food composition table by National
Nutrition Institute, Foods Composition Table (Venezuela) (9).
Data analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using
the Stat Most Framework for Windows version 3.0 software. For normally
distributed data the differences between means were evaluated with the
Student’s t-test. For non-normally distributed data differences between
distributions were evaluated with the Mann Whitney U test and correlation
analysis with the Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Ethical considerations
The study was approved by Ethics
Committee of the Institute of Clinical Investigations, and informed written
consent was requested and obtained from parents in the school where the study
was performed; all adolescents were freely consenting.
RESULTS
Adolescents data are shown in Table 1. Anthropometric measurements, HOMA IR
Index and blood pressures were significantly different between boys and girls.
According to the criteria of Tanner both boys and girls were pubertal
adolescents (boys 89.7% Tanner IV-V pubic hair and genitals; girls 97.9% Tanner
IV-V breast and pubic hair, after the onset of menses). They were normotensive
and had fasting serum insulin levels that were above our reference value (84
pmol/L). In both boys and girls, BMI was positively (p<0.05)
correlated to central fat distribution, estimated as subscapular/triceps ratio,
and with both circumference and skinfold measurements (p<0.001) (Table
2). In boys, anthropometric measurements were correlated positively with serum
insulin, HOMA insulin resistance (IR), TC and LDL-C values and negatively with
HDL-C (Table 3). In contrast, anthropometric measurements in girls were
correlated positively only with systolic and diastolic blood pressures and
negatively with HDL-C (Table 3). Both boys and girls in the highest BMI quartile
(boys > 23.7 kg/m2, girls > 24 kg/m2) had
significantly higher serum insulin levels, HOMA b
-cell function (b
-cell), and Tg values and lower HDL-C values than adolescents in the lowest
quartile (boys and girls < 19.6 kg/m2). Boys also had higher mean
HOMA IR, LDL-C and VLDL-C values in the 4th quartile and girls
presented higher SBP and DBP values in the 4th quartile (Table 4). In
both boys and girls, there were no significant correlations between serum
insulin and serum lipid values (data not shown).
TABLE
1
Adolescents
characteristics
|
|
n
|
Boys
68
|
Girls
99
|
P
|
|
|
Age (years)
|
15.5 ± . 1.0
|
15.8 ± 0.9
|
ns
|
|
Anthropometry
|
|
|
|
|
Weight (kg)
|
63.9 ± 12.2
|
55.5 ± 9.3
|
0.0000
|
|
Height (m)
|
1.69 ± 0.07
|
1.58 ± 0.04
|
0.0000
|
|
BMI (Kg/m2)
|
22.2 ± 3.4
|
22.1 ± 3.7
|
0.4
|
|
Waist (cm)
|
73.6 ± 9.2
|
67.2 ± 6.9
|
0.0000
|
|
Hip (cm)
|
91.7 ± 8.3
|
89.8 ± 7.4
|
0.06
|
|
Waist to hip
ratio
|
0.79 ± 0.04
|
0.74 ± 0.04
|
0.0000
|
|
Skinfolds
(mm)
|
|
|
|
|
Biceps
|
8.4 ± 5.1
|
11.8 ± 4.6
|
0.0000
|
|
Triceps
|
14.6 ± 6.5
|
20.3 ± 6.0
|
0.0000
|
|
Subscapular
|
15.2 ± 8.4
|
19.0 ± 6.9
|
0.001
|
|
Suprailiac
|
15.5 ± 9.2
|
17.5 ± 6.4
|
0.05
|
|
Subscapular
to Triceps ratio
|
1.03 ± 0.25
|
0.94 ± 0.24
|
0.009
|
|
Fasting
Glucose (mmol/L)
|
4.67 ± 0.46
|
4.49 ± 0.45
|
0.01
|
|
Fasting
Insulin (pmol/L)
|
100.8 ± 49.8
|
90.6 ± 40.8
|
0.07
|
|
Homa IR Index
|
3.5 ± 1.8
|
3.03 ± 1.3
|
0.02
|
|
Homa b -cell Index
|
337.9 ± 260.3
|
428.9 ± 491.2
|
0.08
|
|
Blood
pressure (mm Hg)
|
|
|
|
|
Systolic
|
113.8 ± 9.7
|
105.7 ± 8.6
|
0.0000
|
|
Diastolic
|
71.0 ± 6.9
|
68.3 ± 7.4
|
0.01
|
|
| Data
are means ± Standard Deviation.
|
TABLE
2
Associations
between Body Mass Index,
Circumferences and Skinfolds in adolescents
|
|
BMI
(kg/m2)
|
Circunferences (cm)
|
Skinfolds (mm)
|
|
| |
Waist
|
Hip
|
W/H
|
Bicipital
|
Triceps
|
Subscapular
|
Subscapular to
triceps ratio
|
|
Boys
|
0.85‡
|
0.85‡
|
0.30*
|
0.58‡
|
0.71‡
|
0.78‡
|
0.24*
|
|
Girls
|
0.82‡
|
0.81‡
|
0.52‡
|
0.65‡
|
0.82‡
|
0.84‡
|
0.28
|
|
| *
p £ 0.05; £ p £ 0.001
|
TABLE
3
Associations
between anthropometric measurements
and serum insulin, serum lipids and blood pressure
|
| |
Insulin
|
HOMA
IR
|
HOMA B-cell
|
TC
|
Tg
|
HDL-C
|
LDL-C
|
VLDL-C
|
SBP
|
DBP
|
|
|
Boys
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BMI (kg/m2)
|
0.38 ‡
|
0.37 ‡
|
0.23 *
|
0.40 ‡
|
0.18
|
-0.23*
|
0.37 ‡
|
0.35 †
|
0.25 *
|
0.10
|
|
Waist Circumference (cm)
|
0.36 †
|
0.36 †
|
0.22
|
0.32 †
|
0.28 †
|
-0.25 †
|
0.30 †
|
0.24 *
|
0.23
|
0.08
|
|
Waist to hip ratio
|
0.15
|
0.15
|
0.15
|
0.31 †
|
0.23 *
|
-0.21
|
0.35 †
|
0.08
|
0.14
|
0.02
|
|
Subscapular skinfold (mm)
|
0.34 †
|
0.34 †
|
0.14
|
0.40 ‡
|
0.21
|
-0.23 *
|
0.42 ‡
|
0.26
|
0.14
|
-0.06
|
|
Subscapular to triceps ratio
|
-0.06
|
-0.16
|
-0.16
|
0.11
|
0.10
|
-0.36 †
|
0.20
|
0.29 †
|
0.05
|
0.05
|
|
Girls
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BMI (kg/m2)
|
0.17
|
0.14
|
0.16
|
-0.04
|
0.09
|
-0.28 †
|
0.09
|
-0.06
|
0.34 ‡
|
0.27 †
|
|
Waist Circumference (cm)
|
0.16
|
0.17
|
0.22 *
|
0.01
|
0.21 *
|
-0.29 †
|
0.16
|
-0.01
|
0.37 ‡
|
0.31 ‡
|
|
Waist to hip ratio
|
-0.01
|
0.0002
|
0.07
|
0.03
|
0.22 †
|
-0.18
|
0.10
|
0.13
|
0.19 *
|
0.25 †
|
|
Subscapular skinfold (mm)
|
0.17
|
0.15
|
0.12
|
0.06
|
0.14
|
-0.20 *
|
0.18
|
-0.03
|
0.42 ‡
|
0.26 †
|
|
Subscapular to triceps ratio
|
0.11
|
0.06
|
0.23 *
|
0.06
|
0.23 *
|
-0.18
|
0.09
|
0.19 *
|
0.21 †
|
-0.05
|
|
| * p
£ 0.05; † p £ 0.01; ‡ p £
0.001
|
TABLE
4
Insulin levels,
lipid profile and blood pressure values by body mass index quartiles
|
|
BMI Quartiles
|
|
Boys (n = 68)
|
Girls (n = 99)
|
|
| |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Variation
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
Variation
|
|
Fasting Insulin (pmol/L)
|
77.4
|
97.8
|
90.6
|
131.4
|
4>1 †
|
75.0
|
89.4
|
100.2
|
97.2
|
4>1† ;3>1*
|
|
Homa IR index
|
2.5
|
3.5
|
3.8
|
4.6
|
4>1 †
|
2.6
|
3.0
|
3.3
|
3.2
|
|
|
Homa b -cell index
|
367.3
|
261.3
|
293.3
|
455.5
|
4>2 †
|
252.2
|
426.8
|
432.1
|
606.8
|
4>1 † ; 2>1*
|
|
Tg (mmol/L)
|
0.82
|
0.72
|
0.71
|
1.08
|
4>2 † ; 4>3
†
|
0.80
|
0.84
|
0.86
|
0.97
|
4>1*
|
|
CT (mmol/L)
|
3.11
|
3.11
|
3.73
|
3.71
|
4>1 †; 4>2 †
; 3>1†
|
3.70
|
3.61
|
3.84
|
3.72
|
|
|
HDL-C (mmol/L)
|
1.10
|
1.13
|
11.5
|
0.94
|
4<2 * ; 4<3 *
|
1.28
|
1.19
|
1.26
|
1.11
|
4<1 *
|
|
LDL-C (mmol/L)
|
1.8
|
1.62
|
2.07
|
2.31
|
4>1 * ; 4>2 †
; 3>2*
|
2.07
|
2.04
|
2.17
|
2.21
|
|
|
VLDL-C (mmol/L)
|
0.21
|
0.37
|
0.46
|
0.46
|
4>1 ‡ ; 3>1 *
; 2>1‡
|
0.36
|
0.36
|
0.36
|
0.40
|
|
|
SBP (mm Hg)
|
110.6
|
111.6
|
118.7
|
117.1
|
3>1 * ; 3>2 *
|
102.4
|
103.8
|
106.2
|
110.8
|
4>1‡ ;
4>2‡;4>3*
|
|
DBP (mm Hg)
|
68.0
|
72.6
|
72.1
|
70.6
|
2>1 *
|
65.8
|
67.0
|
68.6
|
72.0
|
4>1† ; 4>2*
|
|
| *
p £ 0.05;
† p £
0.01; ‡ p £ 0.001.
Mean values for each variable are shown. BMI Quartiles: Boys: 1) <
19.6; 2) 19.6 – 20.8; 3) 20.9 – 23.7; 4) >23.7. Girls: 1) <
19.6; 2) 19.6 – 21.4; 3) 21.5 – 24; 4) >24. TC: 0.02586 mmol/L
is equal to 1 mg/dL. Tg: 0.01129 mmol/L is equal to 1 mg/dL. |
As shown in Table 5, among the
167 adolescents studied, we found that 139 subjects had BMI = 25 kg/m2
(lean) and 28 with BMI >25 kg/m2 (obese). They were divided in 4
groups (A, B, C and D) according to the cutoff insulin value (84pml/L): Group A
that was lean and had insulin values £
84 pmol/l. Group B had a slightly higher BMI and skinfolds values than Group A.
Hyperinsulinemia (>84pmol/L) and significantly (p=0.00000) higher HOMA IR and
HOMA b -cell
index were found in Group B compared with Group A. Also Group B had
significantly higher serum triglyceride and a higher systolic and diastolic
blood pressure than Group A. The physical activity (min/week) was lower in Group
B than in Group A. In addition, waist circumference was higher than the Group A.
In summary, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia occurred together in these
non obese, normoglycemic adolescents. They were metabolically more affected than
the Group C.
TABLE
5
Clinical and
metabolic characteristics of adolescents
by insulin levels and body mass index
|
|
BMI £ 25 kg/m2
|
BMI > 25 kg/m2
|
p
|
|
-
Insulin
£ 84 pmol/L
|
B. Insulin> 84
pmol/L
|
C. Insulin£ 84
pmol/L
|
D. Insulin> 84
pmol--L
|
A-B
|
A-C
|
A-D
|
B-C
|
B-D
|
C-D
|
|
|
n
|
76
|
63
|
10
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age (years)
|
15.6 ± 2.0
|
15.5 ± 0.9
|
15.7 ± 0.9
|
15.9 ± 1.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical
Activity (min/week)
|
198.0 ±
176.4
|
134.5 ±
131.1
|
190.5 ± 288.1
|
202.8 ±
229.2
|
*
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Anthropometry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BMI (Kg/m2)
|
20.4 ± 2.1
|
21.5 ± 1.9
|
28.4 ± 3.6
|
28.3 ± 2.4
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Waist (cm)
|
66.3 ± 5.4
|
68.5 ± 5.7
|
80.1 ± 6.6
|
83.3 ± 11.0
|
*
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Waist / hip
|
0.75 ± 0.04
|
0.75 ± 0.04
|
0.79 ± 0.04
|
0.8 ± 0.06
|
ns
|
*
|
**
|
*
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Skinfolds
(mm)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biceps
|
8.5 ± 3.8
|
10.3 ± 4.6
|
16.5 ± 5.3
|
15.5 ± 5.2
|
*
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Triceps
|
15.5 ± 5.6
|
17.1 ± 4.9
|
26.3 ± 8.0
|
26.6 ± 6.0
|
*
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Subscapular
|
14.4 ± 5.3
|
16.3 ± 5.6
|
26.5 ± 7.8
|
29.4 ± 8.2
|
*
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Suprailiac
|
13.9 ± 5.4
|
15.4 ± 6.1
|
24.4 ± 8.6
|
28.6 ± 7.3
|
ns
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Bic+Tri+Sub
|
38.6 ± 13.7
|
43.6 ± 13.0
|
69.3 ± 19.6
|
71.1 ± 18.9
|
*
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
**
|
ns
|
|
Sub/Tri
|
0.95 ± 0.21
|
0.96 ± 0.27
|
1.03 ± 0.2
|
1.12 ± 0.26
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Clinical
Chemistries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fasting
Glucose (mmol/L)
|
4.54 ± 0.21
|
4.62 ± 0.48
|
4.39 ± 0.57
|
4.6 ± 0.54
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Fasting
Insulin (pmol/L)
|
63.6 ± 12
|
120.6 ± 39
|
64.2 ± 17.4
|
147.0 ± 55.2
|
**
|
ns
|
**
|
**
|
*
|
**
|
|
Homa IR Index
|
2.1 ± 0.4
|
4.1 ± 1.4
|
2.4 ± 0.7
|
5.0 ± 2.0
|
**
|
ns
|
**
|
**
|
*
|
**
|
|
Homa b
-cell Index
|
246 ± 145
|
491 ± 480.6
|
530.6 ±
859.5
|
563.4 ±
392.1
|
**
|
*
|
**
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
TC (mmol/L)
|
3.57 ± 0.68
|
3.59 ± 0.75
|
3.56 ± 0.68
|
3.84 ± 0.55
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Tg (mmol/L)
|
0.78 ± 0.35
|
0.90 ± 0.49
|
0.85 ± 0.40
|
0.96 ± 0.37
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
HDL-C
(mmol/L)
|
1.19 ± 0.28
|
1.18 ± 0.26
|
0.9 ± 0.23
|
1.10 ± 0.29
|
ns
|
**
|
ns
|
**
|
ns
|
*
|
|
VLDL-C
(mmol/L)
|
0.35 ± 0.19
|
0.39 ± 0.21
|
0.32 ± 0.14
|
0.43 ± 0.26
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
LDL-C (mmol/L)
|
1.98 ± 0.62
|
2.00 ± 0.68
|
2.33 ± 0.84
|
2.31 ± 0.49
|
ns
|
*
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Blood
Pressure (mmHg)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Systolic
|
106.4 ± 9.8
|
109.8 ± 10.0
|
114.0 ± 6.9
|
114.4 ± 7.0
|
*
|
*
|
**
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Diastolic
|
67.8 ± 7.4
|
69.9 ± 6.5
|
71.0 ± 8.4
|
73.3 8.0
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
| p
< 0.05; ** p < 0.001 |
Group C obese adolescents
(BMI>25kg/m2) with normal insulin values (<84 pmol/L), (Table
5) had similar insulin levels and HOMA IR values and higher (p=0.004) HOMA b
-cell values compared to Group A. Despite this, higher LDL-C, systolic blood
pressure and the lowest HDL-C value were observed. These high levels might be
related to an increase in BMI as it was established in Table 2. This group had
similar BMI and skinfolds to the obese hyperinsulinemic group (Group D) and the
lowest level of HDL-C of all groups (Table 5).
Group D, obese adolescents with
insulin levels > 84 pmol/L, had anthropometric measurements, fasting insulin
level, HOMA IR, TC, TG LDL-C, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values
significantly higher and HDL-C lower than Group A. Central fat distribution
(subscapular to triceps ratio) was significantly higher (p=0.003) in these obese
adolescents with higher insulin levels compared with in Group A (Table 5),
having boys a higher ratio [p<0.0000] (Table 1).
In general, daily intake of
energy and nutrients among the adolescents were higher than required (calculated
on the basis of age, weight, sex and physical activity). High protein, fat and
carbohydrate intake was observed according to the intake to required ratio
values. Dietary fat came mainly from saturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated
fatty acids intake did not reach 14% of total fat intake and the P/S ratio was
less than 2.00 (recommended ratio). Low intake of vegetables, legumes and fruits
was observed. Although no statistically significant, Group B had the highest
intake of protein and saturated fat and the lowest intake of monounsaturated fat
(Table 6).
TABLE
6
Daily intake of
energy and nutrients of the adolescents
by insulin levels and body mass index
|
|
BMI £
25 kg/m2
|
BMI > 25
kg/m2
|
p
|
| Energy
or Nutrient |
Insulin
£ 84
pmol/L
|
B.
Insulin> 84 pmol/L
|
C.
Insulin£
84 pmol/L
|
D.
Insulin> 84 pmol--L
|
A-B
|
A-C
|
A-D
|
B-C
|
B-D
|
C-D
|
|
|
N
|
33
|
37
|
8
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy (Kcal)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
2199.1 ±
352.6
|
2144.2 ±
311.89
|
2309.3 ±
501.0
|
2316.6 ±
516.7
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Intake
|
2728.5 ±
972.2
|
2862.27±921.64
|
2440.2 ±
722.3
|
2768.6 ±
1018.1
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
I/R x 100
|
123.7 ± 38.0
|
131.94 ±
36.48
|
105.7 ± 35.5
|
119.8 ± 35.5
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Protein (g)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
77.12 ±
12.45
|
75.59 ± 9.63
|
80.7 ± 17.4
|
81.3 ± 17.7
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Intake
|
107.8 ±
38.08
|
112.75 ±
32.82
|
103.1 ± 35.0
|
104.3 ± 39.5
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
I/R x 100
|
140.81 ±
39.41
|
150.02 ±
38.97
|
126.8 ± 27.5
|
126.8 ± 37.8
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Fat (g)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
73.42 ± 11.7
|
72.05 ± 9.07
|
80.5 ± 15.5
|
77.1 ± 17.0
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Intake
|
103.0 ±
50.39
|
106.91 ±
41.58
|
101.5 ± 49.2
|
94.5 ± 46.4
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
I/R x 100
|
139.21 ±
52.8
|
148.59 ±
50.52
|
129.8 ± 49.1
|
121.2 ± 39.7
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Saturated
|
61.3 ± 43.01
|
63.37 ±
35.85
|
51.5 ± 32.8
|
48.7 ± 25.6
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Monounsaturated
|
2.57 ± 3.0
|
1.78 ± 2.78
|
4.7 ± 5.8
|
3.8 ± 3.7
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Polyunsaturated
|
25.27 ± 13.9
|
22.72 ± 9.68
|
18.8 ± 9.5
|
17.7 ± 8.2
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
|
Modified fat
°
|
31.12 ±
26.76
|
34.4 ± 29.59
|
38.9 ± 26.5
|
35.6 ± 30.1
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
P/S ratio
|
0.25 ± 0.35
|
0.45 ± 0.32
|
0.50 ± 0.38
|
0.47 ± 0.25
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Carbohidrate
(g)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
307.84 ±
49.34
|
303.18 ±
39.69
|
323.2 ± 69.8
|
324.2 ± 72.2
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
|
Intake
|
335.0 ±
131.1
|
377.18 ±
129.04
|
286.2 ± 98.1
|
393.6 ±
150.6
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
ns
|
*
|
|
I/R x 100
|
125.5 ±
81.34
|
126.51 ±
40.49
|
89.8 ± 26.1
|
121.6 ± 41.2
|
ns
|
ns
|
ns
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
|
* p £
0.05. Data are means ± SD
° From fried foods, mayonnaise and margarines
I/R: Intake/Required |
DISCUSSION
This study found that 37% of the
adolescents with BMI 21.5 ± 19 kg/m2 (Group B) presented higher
fasting insulin levels, HOMA IR, Tg, systolic and diastolic blood pressure
values when compared to Group A.
The mean insulin values were
similar in both boys and girls. Hoffman et al (10) have demonstrated that
insulin sensitivity is greater in pubertal and early pubertal boys than girls
and is primarily determined by body mass. It has been suggested that individuals
exist who are not obese on the basis of height and weight, but who, like people
with overt obesity, are hyperinsulinemic, insulin resistant and predisposed to
type 2 diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and premature heart disease (1,11). In
addition, central abdominal adiposity, even when estimated crudely by
anthropometric measures, predicts the development of type 2 diabetes (12),
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (13) and is now recognized as part of the
metabolic syndrome that includes insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and
hypertension (14). Central adiposity is strongly related to insulin resistance,
which is considered the precursor of type 2 diabetes (15). The abdominal fat
depot may induce deterioration in insulin sensitivity through its characteristic
high lypolysis (16) and its rapid turnover of fatty acids (17). Both insulin
resistance and central adiposity were present in adolescents in Group B.
Arslanian et al (18) demonstrated, that in nonobese normal children, percent
adiposity is an important correlate of in vivo insulin sensitivity. However,
independent of degree of adiposity, there remains significant relationship
between diastolic blood pressure and insulin sensitivity as well as insulin
levels in prepuberty, and insulin levels and VLDL in pubertal subject, possibly
signaling the initiation of syndrome X in childhood.
Ferrari et al (19) observed that
lean offspring (BMI<22.5 kg/m2) with one hypertensive parent, had
significantly higher systolic blood pressure and they were insulin resistant.
This situation has also been reported in nonobese, normoglycemic offspring
and/or first degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes (20). Similarly,
our Group B were first or second degree relatives of patients with type 2
diabetes [49 % (31/63)] and/or hypertension [(76% (48/63)]. The family history
for diabetes was slightly higher in Group B compared with group A (49% vs 44%).
Both had similar percentage for family history of hypertension. According to
this result the alteration observed in Group B maybe related to other factors.
Bergström et al (2) reported
that during midpuberty serum insulin values in both boys and girls were higher
in the younger age group. In this study, the mean age in Group B was not
different to that of adolescents with similar or higher BMI. It has been
suggested that the peak in serum insulin level in midpuberty results from an
increased resistance to insulin (21). In fact, Table
5 shows that Group B, with high fasting insulin levels, had HOMA IR values
significantly higher (2 fold) than those of the Group A. Insulin is known to
have a growth hormone-like effect, and an increased level may be caused by an
increased secretion of insulin related to the pubertal growth spurt. In effect,
Group B had significantly higher HOMA b
-cell index, indicative of non-impaired insulin secretion. They also had higher
triglyceride levels, a good marker for risk of atherosclerosis at an early age
(22). Amiel et al (23) suggest that insulin resistance during puberty is
restricted to peripheral glucose metabolism. Selective insulin resistance
leading to compensatory hyperinsulinemia may serve to amplify insulin’s effect
on amino acid metabolism, thereby facilitating protein anabolism during this
period of rapid growth.
In general, increases in insulin
resistance tend to parallel the increases in BMI. This was observed in the
adolescents studied (Table
3). However, a small group (Group C) with BMI>25 kg/m2 had
fasting insulin levels as low as Group A. Parameters linked to insulin
resistance (high insulin level, high triglyceride levels, low HDL-C and high
blood pressure) were found in the subjects of this study and emphasize the
importance of increases in BMI in adolescents. Universal definition of obesity
related to cutoff in adolescents has not been established. In Venezuela, the 90th
and 97th of body mass index for age and sex have been recommended to
define overweight and obesity based on FUNDACREDESA Venezuela Project (7). Cole
et al (24) proposed cutoff points to define child obesity. These cutoff points
are recommended for international comparisons of prevalence of overweight and
obesity. According to Cole et al data (24) the Group B, having a BMI=21.5 kg/m2
(15.5 ± 0.9 years) can be considered lean. Adolescents with BMI>25 kg/m2
will be obese. The Group B had an increase in adipose tissue mass (measured by
skinfolds and waist circumference) compared with normoinsulinemic adolescents in
Group A. BMI was positively correlated (p<0.05) to central fat distribution
estimated as the subscapular to triceps ratio. Also, BMI was significantly
correlated with circumferences (waist, hip and waist/hip ratio) and skinfolds (Table
2). Central obesity, like hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, not only
accompanies but also antedates metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes
(11,25) and coronary heart disease (26). That it may be a very early event is
suggested by the finding of the Bogalusa Heart Study (27,28) that increases in
central fat, as reflected by increases in subscapular, suprailiac and subcostal
skinfold thickness, correlate closely with increases in plasma insulin, blood
pressure, and triglycerides in school-aged (6-18 y) children.
This study also found variations
in serum insulin levels, partly caused by variations in daily dietary intake.
Daily intake of energy and nutrients were higher than the requirements
calculated for gender, ages and physical activity. A recent report suggests that
high-protein diets may contribute to the more rapid progression of type 2
diabetes from IGT (29). Kitagawa et al (30) demonstrated that an increased
incidence of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus among Japanese
schoolchildren correlates with an increased intake of animal protein and fat.
Intake of animal fat increased the consumption of saturated fatty acids that may
increase insulin levels and decrease P/S ratio; these nutritional alterations
increase the cardiovascular disease risk.
Another factor present in the
Group B was the lowest physical activity in comparison with Group A. These
adolescents require neither the high intake of calories nor the larger amount of
carbohydrates. Physical activity has a beneficial effect in reducing plasma
insulin levels among people with and without type 2 diabetes (31). Moderate
amounts of physical activity have a significant role in reducing the burden of
hyperinsulinemia and diabetes among ethnic populations at highest risk for these
conditions (32). Daily physical activity is important to decrease risk for
insulin resistance. Group B with low physical activity, hyperinsulinemia and
insulin resistance have high risk to develop diabetes.
In conclusion, this study shows
that adolescents with BMI as low as 21.5 kg/m2, but exhibiting
hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, that co-exist with low physical
activity and high energy, animal protein and fat intake, are at increased risk
for obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To Ing. Angel Casanova,
Professor of Statistics for his valuable advise with the analysis of the data.
REFERENCES
-
Ruderman N,Chisholm D,
Pi-Sunyer X, Schneider S. The metabolically obese, normal-weight individual
revised. Perspectives in diabetes. Diabetes 1998; 47:699-713
-
Bergström E, Hernell O,
Persson LA, Vessby B. Insulin resistance syndrome in adolescents. Metabolism
1996;45:908-914
-
Young RS, Rosenbloom AL. Type
2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes in minority youth: Conference report. Clin
Pediat 1998; 37:63-66
-
Bergman RN, Finegood DT, Ader
M. Assessment of insulin sensitivity in vivo. Endocr Rev 1985; 6:45-86
-
Cusin I, Rohner-Jeanrenaud F,
Terrettaz J, Jeanrenaud B. Hyperinsulinaemia and its impact on obesity and
insulin resistance. Int J Obes 1992; 16:S1-S11
-
Le Stunff C, Bougneres P.
Early changes in postprandial insulin secretion, not in insulin sensitivity,
characterize juvenile obesity. Diabetes 1994; 43:696-702
-
Landaeta Jimenez M,
Lopez-Blanco M, Mendez Catellano H. Body mass index curves for age and sex.
FUNDACREDESA-Venezuela Project 1994. In Manual de Crecimiento y Desarrollo.
FUNDACREDESA 1997
-
Haffner S, Miettinen H, Stern
M. The homeostasis model in the San Antonio Heart study. Diabetes Care 1997;
20:1087-1092
-
National Nutrition Institute,
Foods Composition Table Venezuela. 1994
-
Hoffman R, Vicini P, Sivitz
W, Cobelli C. Pubertal adolescent male-female differences in insulin sensitivity
and glucose effectiveness determined y the one compartment minimal model.
Pediatr Res 2000; 48:384-388
-
Hollenbeck CB, Reaven G.
Variations in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in healthy individual with
normal glucose tolerance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1987; 64:1169-1173
-
Ohlson L-O, Larsson B, Svärdsudd
K, Welin L, Eriksson H, Wilhelmsem N, Bjorntord P, Tibblin G. The influence of
body fat distribution on the incidence of diabetes mellitus: 13.5 years of
follow-up of the participants in the study of men born in 1913. Diabetes 1985;
34:1055-1058
-
Manson JE, Willett WC,
Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Hankinson SE, Hennekens CH, Speizer FE. Body
weight and mortality among women. N Engl J Med 1995; 333:677-685
-
Samaras K, Campbell LV.
Increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in the third millennium. Is abdominal
fat the central issue? Diabetes Care 2000; 23:441-442
-
Carey DG, Jenkins AB,
Campbell LV, Freund J, Chisholm DJ. Abdominal fat and insulin resistance in
normal and overweight women: direct measures reveal a strong relationship in
subjects at both low and high risk of NIDDM. Diabetes 1996; 45:633-638
-
Rebuffé-Scrivé M,
Andersson B, Olbe L, Björntorp P. Metabolism of adipose tissue in
intra-abdominal depots of non-obese men and women. Metabolism 1989; 38:453-458
-
Boden G. Role of fatty acids
in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and NIDDM. Diabetes 1997; 45:3-10
-
Arslanian S, Suprasongsin
CH. Insulin sensitivity, lipids, and body composition in childhood:
"Syndrome X" Present? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996; 81:1058-1062
-
Ferrari P, Weidmann P, Show
S, Giachino D, Riesen W, Allemann Y, Heynen G. Altered insulin sensitivity,
hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in individuals with hypertensive parent. Am J
Med 1991; 91: 589-596
-
Laws AM, Stefanick ML,
Reaven GM. Insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in nondiabetic relatives
of patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
1989; 69:343-357
-
Arslanian SA, Kalhan S.
Correlations between fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Potential explanation of
insulin resistance of puberty. Diabetes 1994; 43:908-914
-
Franz M, Horton E, Bantle J,
Beebe CH, Brunzell J, Coulston A, Henry RR, Hoogwerf BJ, Stacpoole PW. Nutrition
principles for management of diabetes and related complications. Diabetes Care
1994; 17:490-518
-
Amiel SA, Caprio S, Sherwin
RS, Plewe G, Haymond MW, Tamborlane WV. Insulin resistance of puberty; a defect
restricted to peripheral glucose metabolism, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1991;
72:277-282
-
Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal
KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and
obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ 2000; 320:1240-1243
-
Bergström RW, Nawell-Morris
LI, Leonetti DL, Abraham S. Evidence for an increased intra-abdominal fat
distribution with development of NIDM in Japanese-American men. Diabetes 1990;
39:104-111
-
Blair D, Habricht VP, Sims
EAH, Sylvester D, Abrahan S. Evidence for an increased risk for hypertension
with centrally located body fat and the effect of race and sex on this risk. Am
J Epidemiol 1984; 119:526-540
-
Burke GL, Webber LS,
Srinivasan SR, Radhakrishnamurthy B, Freeman DS, Berenson GS. Fasting plasma
glucose and insulin levels and their relationship to cardiovascular risk factors
in children: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Metabolism 1986; 35:441-446
-
Freedman DS, Srinivasan SR,
Burke GL, Shear CL, Smook CG, Harsha DW, Webber LS, Berenson GS. Relation of
body fat distribution of hyperinsulinemia in children and adolescents: The
Bogalusa Heart Study. Am J Clin Nut 1987; 46:403-410
-
Linn T, Geyer R, Prassek S,
Laube H. Effect of dietary protein intake on insulin secretion and glucose
metabolism in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996;
81:3938-3943
-
Kitagawa T, Owada M, Urakami
T, Yamauchi K. Increased incidence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
among japanese schoolchildren correlates with an increased intake of animal
protein and fat. Clin Pediatr 1998; 37:111-116
-
Regensterner J, Mayer E,
Sheherly S, Eckel R, Haskell W, Marshall JA, Baxter J, Hamman RF. Relationship
between habitual physical activity and insulin levels among nondiabetic men and
women: the San Luis Valley Diabetic Study. Diabetes Care 1991; 14:1066-1074
-
Irwin M, Mayer-Davis E, Addy
CH, Pate R, Durstins L, Stolarczyk LM, Ainsworth BE. Moderate-intensity physical
activity and fasting insulin levels in women. Diabetes Care 2000; 23:449-454
Recibido: 25/02/2002 Aceptado: 08/10/2002
 |
PRIVACIDAD | ACCESIBILIDAD
ALAN-VE ISSN 0004-0622 - Depósito Legal: pp 199602DF83
Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición
Producción editorial en Venezuela: Capítulo Venezolano - RIF: J-30843129-0
Urbanización Santa María, primera transversal, No. 417-214, Planta Alta
Tele-Fax: (+58-212) 283.8618
E-mail info@alanrevista.org
Código Postal: 1070
Caracas - Venezuela |
|
|