Adverse metabolic profiles in a cohort of obese Irish children

Background: The metabolic characteristics of obese Irish children are not well defined. We prospectively examined the relationship between the degree of obesity and glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and suspected non-alcoholic steatohepatosis (NASH) in a pilot study of obese Irish children. Methods: We measured height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, waist and hip circumference in 18 participants (mean age 15.5 years). Fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations were also measured. A standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed and insulin sensitivity was derived from this using a mathematical model - oral glucose insulin sensitivity. Results: There were significant associations between the degree of obesity, insulin sensitivity and markers of liver steatosis. For example, when adjusted for pubertal status, there were significant associations between standardized BMI and insulin sensitivity (regression coefficient, β = -70.1, P = 0.018) and ALT (β = 20.7, P = 0.007) Conclusion: This study suggests that the degree of obesity is associated with lower insulin sensitivity and possible NASH in obese Irish children.