The association between insulin resistance, sleep disorders, and inflammation in obese children

Abstract

Aim: Both obesity and sleep disorders cause chronic subclinical inflammation. Inflammation is a significant factor in triggering insulin resistance. This study aimed to analyze the association between sleep disorders, inflammation, and insulin resistance in obese/overweight children. Material and methods: In this cross‑sectional study, 150 overweight/obese children were included. Sleep disorder was measured by using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. The homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‑IR) was calculated according to fasting glucose and insulin results. Logistic regression models and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients were used to estimate associations between parameters. Results: A statistically significant raising was found in insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels in those with sleep disorders (p<0.05). However, no correlation was found between sleep disorders and the HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels. On the other hand, HOMA-IR was weak positively correlated with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (r=0.222, p=0.006), and CRP (r=0.390, p<0.001). Conclusion: Although we did not detect the association between sleep disorders and insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels, we revealed that children with sleep disorders had higher insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels than those without.

Keywords

• Sleep
• insulin resistance
• children
• obesity
• neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio
• C-reactive protein